Rice production in India is likely to decline this season, due to late monsoon rains and farmers switching to alternative crops.

This year’s second largest world grain producer is going through a harsh summer. Poor summer rains and periods of extreme heat caused rice farmers to delay planting in large states.

A small amount of rainfall affected rice sowing in southern India, where the season begins early. The cultivation area was reduced by 5-7% in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, where sowing begins in April-May.

This year, the monsoon was late for a week, and the Vayu cyclone further reduced rainfall in most states.

“Farmers in Uttar Pradesh have postponed rice planting in the light of the late monsoon forecast, and many are choosing early ripe varieties,” said Soraaj Singh, director of agriculture at the state government of Uttar Pradesh.

He also noted that farmers can postpone a rice transplant for up to two weeks before deciding to grow alternative crops in the state.

Other experts say farmers are likely to turn to crops such as legumes, oilseeds, and corn to cope with late rain, while dry weather and reduced crop area are likely to reduce rice production this season.