digantsharma The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has revised its projections, indicating a delay in the onset of the 2025 southwest monsoon, particularly in Kerala and the southern peninsula. Originally expected by June 3, the rains are now predicted to reach Kerala around June 8–10, sparking concern among farmers and policymakers alike.
A delay in monsoon onset—even by a week—can have cascading effects on sowing schedules, especially for kharif crops like paddy, cotton, pulses, and soybeans. Farmers in rainfed regions are particularly vulnerable, as they rely almost entirely on the timely arrival of the monsoon to begin their agricultural operations.
🕰️ Why the Delay?
According to IMD, the delay is attributed to weak cross-equatorial flow and sea surface temperature anomalies in the Indian Ocean and Pacific regions. A transition from El Niño to neutral ENSO (El Niño–Southern Oscillation) conditions is also slowing the monsoon current’s progress.
🌍 Satellite visual: Monsoon cloud movement across the Indian subcontinent – May 2025
(Embed infographic here)
🌾 Impact on Farming Activities
The delay affects not just rainfall but also critical farm planning cycles, including land preparation, seed procurement, and fertilizer application.
- Paddy-growing states like West Bengal, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh may need to recalculate transplanting windows, potentially opting for short-duration or drought-tolerant varieties.
- Soybean and cotton farmers in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra are likely to postpone sowing, raising the risk of uneven crop maturity and lower yields.
- Pulse farmers may consider alternative cropping strategies, including delayed sowing or mixed cropping, to reduce risk.
📊 Infographic: Sowing calendar shifts in major states due to delayed monsoon
🧑🌾 What Farmers Can Do
Agro-experts are urging farmers to stay updated with district-level forecasts and adopt flexible sowing practices. Government agencies, Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), and local NGOs are being mobilized to offer guidance and distribute short-duration seeds to mitigate yield loss.
Dr. Anil Deshmukh, a climate specialist at ICAR, advises:
“The key is adaptability. Farmers must work closely with extension officers and use weather-based advisories to plan smartly.”
🏛️ Government Readiness
The Union Ministry of Agriculture has launched a Monsoon Contingency Plan 2025, focusing on:
- Timely distribution of seeds and inputs
- Awareness campaigns on resilient farming practices
- Real-time updates via SMS and mobile apps (like Meghdoot & Kisan Suvidha)
🌧️ Looking Ahead
While the onset may be delayed, IMD still maintains its “normal monsoon” forecast for the entire season. Experts suggest that a delayed onset does not necessarily mean poor overall rainfall, but it does require region-specific planning and early intervention to minimize disruptions.
