India’s Monsoon Rains Hit Four-Year High, Boosting Kharif and Rabi Crops
New Delhi, October 2: This year’s monsoon rains in India have reached a four-year high, with 108% of the long period average rainfall recorded at 934.8 mm, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The usual long period average is 868.6 mm. The IMD had predicted above-normal rainfall at 106% of the long period average.
Impact on Agriculture
The abundant monsoon rains have positively impacted the Kharif season, allowing farmers to sow more crops. This is expected to improve the gross value added (GVA) in the agriculture sector, which is crucial for millions of Indians. The Bank of Baroda reported that the above-normal rainfall will also benefit the upcoming Rabi sowing season.
Regional Rainfall Distribution
Rainfall distribution varied across regions: Northwest India received 107%, Central India 119%, South Peninsula 114%, and Northeast India 86% of their respective long period averages. Out of 36 meteorological subdivisions, 2 received large excess rainfall, 10 received excess, 21 received normal, and 3 received deficient rainfall.
Monsoon Timeline
The monsoon began weakly in June with 89% of the long period average but picked up in July, August, and September with 109%, 115%, and 112% respectively. The monsoon advanced over the Andaman Sea and Nicobar Islands on May 19, reached Kerala on May 30, and covered the entire country by July 2. The withdrawal started from West Rajasthan on September 23, six days later than usual.
Kharif Crop Sowing
This season, Kharif crop sowing has been robust, with 1,108.57 lakh hectares planted, a 1.9% increase from last year. This surpasses the average area under cultivation for the period from 2018-19 to 2022-23. The government has eased some restrictions on rice exports due to increased paddy sowing.
Commodity-wise Sowing
Sowing of paddy, pulses, oilseeds, millets, and sugarcane has increased, while cotton and jute/mesta sowing remains lower. The government has been promoting pulse cultivation and procuring them at Minimum Support Price.
Expert Opinion
Rahul Chauhan, Director of IGrain India, noted that some Kharif crops were damaged by excessive rains, especially in Bundelkhand. However, he believes the rains will benefit Rabi sowing.
Doubts Revealed
Monsoon -: Monsoon is a seasonal wind that brings heavy rains. In India, it usually happens from June to September.
Kharif crops -: Kharif crops are plants that are sown in the rainy season, like rice and maize. They are planted around June and harvested in October.
Rabi crops -: Rabi crops are plants that are sown in the winter season, like wheat and barley. They are planted around November and harvested in April.
Long period average -: Long period average is the average amount of rainfall over a long time, usually 50 years. It helps to compare if the current rainfall is more or less than usual.
mm -: mm stands for millimeters. It is a unit to measure the amount of rainfall.
Central India -: Central India is the middle part of India, which includes states like Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
Rahul Chauhan -: Rahul Chauhan is an expert who studies crops and weather. He gives advice on how weather affects farming.
