Farmers in Western Maharashtra, Marathwada and Khandesh had been unable to undertake sowings due to a very scanty rainfall, Vikhe-Patil told the reporters after reviewing the drought and crop situation at a meeting at the Directorate of State Agriculture here.
Sowing operations were complete only in eight per cent of the land under kharif cultivation as against 13 per cent in the corresponding period last year, he said.
But the sowing could pick up next month as the monsoon was expected to strengthen in July, the Minister added.
"An alternative crop pattern advisory is being worked out for farmers in view of deficient rains in some regions," Vikhe-Patil said.
He also claimed that fertiliser stock position in the state was "satisfactory" and there was no shortage of seeds.