India: Early Onset of Southwest Monsoon Leads to Accelerated Kharif Planting

The Southwest Monsoon covered the entire country by June 26, twelve days ahead of the normal date of July 8. The cumulative rainfall for the Southwest Monsoon 2020 reported by the Indian Meteorological Department, as of June 29, 2020, was 18 percent higher than the fifty-year average. The early advance of the monsoon has led to a significantly faster pace of sowing of Kharif crops across India. Planted area is 104 percent higher than last year, and 68 percent higher than the five-year average led by increased area in oilseeds, pulses, cotton and rice. With timely rains and adequate reservoir storage, planting is expected to continue at an accelerated pace.

India: Early Onset of Southwest Monsoon Leads to Accelerated Kharif Planting