BS EDIT: Why India’s farms still live and die by the monsoon

Published On Mar 25, 2025

Rain still rules Indian agriculture

Despite advances in irrigation and seed tech, India’s crop production remains tied to monsoon rainfall — especially during the kharif season

Monsoon timing matters

Early-season shortfall in June-July hurts crops like maize and pulses

Excess rain during harvest reduces oilseed yields

Even small shifts can have big impacts

2024 was a mixed bag

India saw 322 days of extreme weather in 2024, affecting over 4 million hectares of farmland

Heatwaves and floods are becoming the norm

Climate risk is rising

Rainfall patterns are growing more erratic

Yield losses and falling nutrition levels are linked to rising heat stress and floods

Time for long-term reforms

Solutions include:

✅ Climate-resilient crops

✅ Better drainage and water systems

✅ Flood/drought management

✅ Tech-led early warning systems

Regenerative farming is key

Natural farming, with diverse crops and low water use, offers soil health, steady income, and long-term resilience

Climate adaptation must start at the farm