Deficient monsoon, weak September rainfall pose risks to rabi crops: Crisil

New Delhi: The renewed weakening of rainfall in August coupled with expectations of a deficient September could pose risks to the upcoming rabi season, according to Crisil.

It also flagged cotton, bajra, maize, tur, groundnut and soybean as particularly vulnerable because of deficient rainfall and relatively low irrigation coverage.

Rainfall deficiency has widened to around 14% so far, this southwest monsoon season, while the IMD has forecast September rainfall at 9% below normal. Private forecaster Skymet expects a steeper 20% shortfall during the month, Crisil said.


While kharif sowing has held up despite uneven rains, lagging by just 1.6%, the risk has now shifted from acreage to crop yields, particularly for crops with limited irrigation support. Overall sowing stood at 98% of the normal area and 96% of last year's level as of September 4.