IANS | 08 Jul, 2024
Signalling a normal monsoon ahead, The cumulative rainfall reached 1 per
cent above the long-term average (as on July 6) while weekly rainfall (as on
July 3) was 32 per cent above the long-term average in the country, a report
showed on Monday.
Spatial divergence has reduced with most of the country receiving
healthy rains during the last week.
North and West India (3 per cent), Central India (-6 per cent), East and
North East India (0 per cent ), and the southern peninsula (13 per cent) have
now all had normal rains so far, according to the report by Emkay Global
Financial Services.
“With June having ended in deficit, it is imperative that July sees
healthy rainfall and the month has begun on a promising note,” said Madhavi
Arora, Lead Economist, Emkay Global Financial Services.
While sowing was delayed, it has now picked up and is better than last
year.
“Total area under sowing (24.1 million hectare), as on June 28, is
sharply higher (33 per cent YoY) than last year. This is mainly due to
accelerated sowing of pulses and oilseeds,” the report noted.
Rice sowing area is the same as last year thus far whereas sugarcane is
better. Among non-food crops, cotton sowing is much higher.
Overall area under sowing is at 22 per cent of normal area sown,
compared with 18.6 per cent at the same point in 2023.
“July is extremely important in this regard with nearly 80 per cent of
sowing activity completed by the end of the month,” said Arora.
--IANS