Mumbai, 16 May (Commoditiescontrol): India's southwest monsoon is forecast to reach the Kerala coast on May 31, according to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD). This prediction comes as a relief to farmers, especially after below-average rainfall last year, impacting various crops and water resources. The monsoon is crucial for India's $3.5 trillion economy as it supplies about 70% of the country's required rainfall, vital for agriculture and water reservoirs.
Last year’s monsoon arrival was delayed until June 8, marking the latest arrival in four years. The weak start led to overall monsoon rains being 6% below average, the lowest since 2018 due to the El Nino weather pattern. However, with El Nino subsiding into La Nina, India’s weather office anticipates rainfall at 106% of the long-term average.
The onset of the monsoon over Kerala is significant for agriculture nationwide, triggering the planting of essential crops like rice, corn, cotton, soybeans, and sugarcane. Plentiful monsoon rains are expected to boost agricultural production, potentially prompting the government to consider easing rice export curbs. These developments underscore the importance of accurate monsoon forecasts in shaping agricultural policies and economic decisions in India.
(By Commoditiescontrol Bureau: 09820130172)