Indo-Pak tensions spark worry over kharif sowing in border areas

India's precision strikes on Pakistan under Operation Sindoor early on Wednesday have escalated border tensions, sparking concern over potential disruptions to agriculture in Punjab, Rajasthan, Jammu & Kashmir, and Gujarat.

- Vijay C. Roy

While the wheat harvest has been largely completed in these regions, any escalation in tensions could disrupt kharif sowing and dent food output in the coming months, according to people familiar with the matter.

The India-Pakistan border, stretching 3,323km across Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir, includes a 553-km stretch shared by Punjab alone. This region holds strategic importance not just for national security but also for the country's agricultural output. Punjab, with only 1.53% of India's geographical area, contributes a staggering 46.24% of wheat and 31.22% of rice to the central pool, marking its critical role in India's food supply.

While India's wheat procurement for the 2025-26 rabi season is well underway—with Punjab contributing 11.72 million tonnes (mt) out of the national total of 26.04mt—the concern now shifts to the upcoming kharif season.