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Farmers rethink kharif crop choice as monsoon fears spark shift from paddy to soybean and pulses
Economy
Published on 12 May 2026
Fewer fertilizers could drive a surprising crop swap
With kharif season nearing, farmers are increasingly turning to soybean and pulses like urad and masur, driven by fears of erratic monsoons and potential fertilizer shortages. After a recent surge, maize planting is expected to fall as growers prefer crops that need less fertilizer and carry lower risk in unpredictable weather.
- Erratic monsoon forecasts are reshaping kharif planting plans
- Fertilizer shortages are pushing farmers toward soybean and pulses
- Maize acreage may decline after earlier gains
- Less fertilizer dependent crops are seen as safer bets
Read the full story at The Economic Times
This summarization was done by Beige for a story published on 
The Economic Times