Monsoon boost drives sowing, farm productivity, easing food inflation

After yielding a 5% surplus this season, the southwest monsoon has begun its withdrawal, marking the end of a crucial period for India’s agriculture and economy. The monsoon, which typically starts retreating by mid-September, began withdrawing nearly a week later than usual this year, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). While the delay provided extended rainfall, it also caused challenges in some regions, such as damaging crops that were ready for harvest.

Throughout the season, most of the country received normal-to-excess rainfall, with Andhra Pradesh and Telangana experiencing severe flooding. However, five of the 36 meteorological subdivisions faced deficient rainfall, highlighting the uneven distribution of monsoon showers. Despite the slow onset in June, rainfall intensity picked up, benefiting farmers during critical sowing periods. This boost in rainfall is expected to improve overall farm productivity, which may help mitigate the rising trend in food inflation that has persisted over the last year.

India’s annual monsoon is vital, providing nearly 70% of the water needed for agriculture and replenishing reservoirs and aquifers. As a result, it plays a significant role in sustaining India’s US$ 3.5 trillion economy. Roughly half of Indian farmland lacks access to irrigation, making the monsoon essential for ensuring crops such as rice, wheat, and pulses receive adequate water.

The monsoon season generally runs from June to September. This year, however, rains continued beyond the usual timeline, replenishing reservoirs but also disrupting the harvesting process in some regions. Earlier predictions from meteorologists, including a Reuters report in August, indicated that monsoon rains would extend into late September due to a developing low-pressure system over the region.

As the monsoon begins to retreat from the northwest, conditions are favorable for further withdrawal from areas like West Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, and Gujarat within the next 24 hours, according to the IMD. Despite the challenges posed by this year’s prolonged monsoon, the overall surplus in rainfall should have a positive impact on agriculture, ensuring adequate water supply for the coming months and potentially easing pressure on food prices across the country.