India's weakest monsoon in a decade slashes farm output and rural spending

India experienced its weakest southwest monsoon in more than a decade, with rainfall deficits of up to 41% in several states and an overall 12.6% shortfall. The shortfall destroyed maize and tur crops for farmers such as 34-year-old Ramesh Valvi in Mandvi, Maharashtra, wiping out his ₹40,000 investment and halting plans to buy a ₹4.5 lakh tractor. With soil moisture severely low and reservoir levels at 68.6% of capacity, many fear a failed rabi sowing season.

National fertilizer sales fell more than 20% from April to September, and tractor retail sales dropped 12.58% month-on-month in September, though still up year-on-year. Analysts expect further delays in farm equipment purchases into early 2027. Valvi now relies on his remaining savings and hopes crop-insurance payouts to sustain his family.