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Key Points

India's monsoon rainfall is 4% above normal, benefiting key Kharif states like Rajasthan and Gujarat. While rice and pulses sowing has surged, Telangana and Andhra face worrying deficits. The uneven distribution could impact yields in rain-scarce regions. Overall, Kharif sowing is up 10.4% compared to last year. Further monsoon progress will determine full agricultural impact.

Key Points: India Monsoon Rainfall 4% Above Normal Boosts Kharif Sowing

  • Rajasthan and Gujarat record 135% and 134% excess rainfall
  • Rice sowing surges 57.9% YoY despite uneven distribution
  • Telangana and Andhra face 40%+ deficits threatening yields
  • Oilseeds and jute sowing decline marginally
2 min read

Monsoon rainfall 4% above normal as of June 24, Kharif sowing progressing well

Monsoon rains 4% above LPA benefit Kharif crops in Rajasthan, Gujarat, and MP while Telangana, Andhra face deficits.

"Cumulative rainfall now stands at 104% of LPA, boosting Kharif sowing by 10.4% YoY – ICICI Bank Research"

New Delhi, June 25

As of June 24, India's cumulative monsoon rainfall stands at 4.0 per cent above the Long Period Average (LPA), indicating a positive start to the season.

According to ICICI Bank research, this marginal surplus in rainfall is expected to benefit Kharif crop production in states that have received sufficient rainfall.

The report attributed the data to CEIC and IMD and mentioned that Rajasthan (135 per cent above LPA) and Gujarat (134 per cent above LPA) have received the highest excess rainfall among the major Kharif states.

Other key Kharif crop producing states such as Madhya Pradesh (28 per cent above LPA), Uttar Pradesh (19 per cent), Tamil Nadu (15 per cent), Karnataka (10 per cent), Haryana (11 per cent), and West Bengal (7 per cent) have also recorded rainfall above the seasonal average. Punjab has received rainfall equal to the LPA.

This widespread and timely rainfall is expected to positively impact sowing and crop growth, improving overall agricultural output.

However, not all regions have fared equally well. States like Telangana (43 per cent below LPA), Chhattisgarh (36 per cent below LPA), Andhra Pradesh (34 per cent below LPA), and Bihar (20 per cent below LPA) are facing rainfall deficits. If the shortfall continues, it may affect kharif sowing and crop yields in these regions.

The monsoon, which began on a weaker note, improved significantly in the second half of June. Cumulative rainfall now stands at 104 per cent of the long-period average (LPA), which is slightly below the India Meteorological Department's (IMD) forecast of 108 per cent for June. However, the rainfall distribution remains uneven across the country.

Even though rainfall in some major kharif-producing states is below LPA, Kharif sowing so far is up 10.4 per cent (YoY). Out of the normal sowing of 109.7mn ha, 13.8mn ha of sowing has already been completed (12.5mn ha last year)

The growth in sowing has been largely driven by key crops such as rice, which has seen a 57.9 per cent YoY increase, pulses (up 42.4 per cent), and coarse cereals (up 22.1 per cent). However, the sowing of oilseeds and jute & mesta has declined by 2 per cent and 2.8 per cent YoY respectively.

With monsoon activity still progressing, further developments in rainfall distribution over the coming weeks will be critical to determine the full impact on agriculture across the country.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rahul K.
Good news for our farmers! 🙏 The 4% surplus is promising, but I hope the IMD can improve their forecasting accuracy. The actual rainfall (104%) being below their prediction (108%) shows room for improvement. Still, better than last year's situation!
P
Priya M.
As someone from Telangana, the 43% deficit is worrying. Our farmers are struggling while Rajasthan gets 135% excess! Government should focus on better water management and irrigation projects to balance these regional disparities. #WaterCrisis
A
Amit S.
The 10.4% increase in Kharif sowing is excellent! But why are oilseeds and jute declining? We need to promote crop diversification to reduce import dependence. Maybe MSP needs revision for these crops?
S
Sunita R.
Gujarat and Rajasthan getting 130%+ rainfall is amazing! But we must remember last year's floods in these regions. Authorities should prepare water storage and flood control measures along with celebrating the surplus. Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan!
V
Vikram J.
The 57.9% increase in rice sowing is concerning for groundwater levels in Punjab/Haryana. We need to shift focus to less water-intensive crops. Monsoon is good but not a license to waste water resources!
N
Neha P.
Hope the government is monitoring the situation closely. The uneven distribution could lead to some states having surplus while others face drought. Time to revive traditional water conservation methods like Rajasthan's johads across India!

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