A 32% rainfall deficit till 23rd June period, and is likely to push farmers into changing their kharif crop patterns. Especially in northwest and central India, which are seeing rainfall deficits as high as 55%, farmers may be forced to move from oilseeds such as soybean and groundnut to crops which have lower water requirements, such as cotton and maize. In Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryanana and Gujarat which saw a 58% deficit during that period If not recovered within the next 10 days, [this] may effectuate a shift from soybean to maize in key deficit areas. Central India saw a 39% rainfall deficit, with Gujarat hit particularly hard. A continued dry spell in the State this marketing year could effectuate a major crop shift from groundnut to cotton. By July 16, Maharashtra’s total kharif acreage was down 11% in comparison to the previous year, and farmers may shift from soybean to cotton if the rainfall deficit does not recover. Similarly, Karnataka farmers, facing a 37% deficit during this period, are likely to opt for cotton and maize. Rice is the major kharif season crop, especially in the east and north-east of India, which saw 23% deficit during that period. However, as the sowing window for paddy remains open for another month, there is unlikely to be any major impact on this crop.