Maharashtra's kharif sowing for the 2026-27 season stood at 1.36 crore hectares as of 31 August, covering 95 per cent of the five-year average area, according to data from the State Agriculture Department. Deficit rainfall and prolonged dry spells across the monsoon season have left the state roughly eight lakh hectares short of its five-year average of 1.44 crore hectares, with sharp regional disparities widening the concern.

Where Sowing Fell Short

The Konkan coast recorded the state's lowest sowing turnout at just 83 per cent across 3.23 lakh hectares. Raigad was the worst-affected district at 67 per cent, followed by Ratnagiri at 71 per cent and Sindhudurg at 84 per cent. In Marathwada, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar division reached 93 per cent and Latur division touched 94 per cent, but Hingoli lagged at 81 per cent. Western Maharashtra averaged 93 per cent, with Kolhapur at 87 per cent and Sangli at 89 per cent recording notable gaps.

Pockets of Strength

Pune division led the state at 101 per cent of its average sowing area, covering 12.66 lakh hectares. Within the division, Solapur hit 104 per cent, Pune district reached 100 per cent, and Ahilyanagar touched 99 per cent. Nashik division achieved 98 per cent across 19.85 lakh hectares, with Nashik district itself crossing the average at 101 per cent. In Vidarbha, Gondia district outperformed at 113 per cent, even as Chandrapur lagged at 88 per cent.

Marathwada's Drought Alarm

The dry spell in August has hit Marathwada particularly hard, with standing crops beginning to wither due to acute water scarcity. Farmers in the region reportedly fear widespread crop loss if rains do not resume within a week. This comes amid a pattern familiar to the region — a slow June, a recovery in early July, and then a dry August that erased momentum. Agriculture department officials have noted that kharif sowing typically concludes by end-August, making a recovery in overall figures unlikely.

Government Response

The weekly state cabinet meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday, is set to review sowing operations, water levels across more than 3,000 irrigation reservoirs, the emerging drought-like situation in Marathwada, and relief measures including fodder availability for livestock. The review signals that the state administration is treating the situation with urgency, even as overall coverage at 95 per cent masks the severity of localised distress.

This year's coverage is lower than last year's 1.42 crore hectares recorded by 29 August, reinforcing concerns that the 2026-27 kharif season may deliver below-average agricultural output in several key districts. All eyes are now on the September monsoon revival and the cabinet's relief package.