MUMBAI — India is expected to receive higher-than-average monsoon rainfall in July, following a strong start to the rainy season in June, a top official from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on June 30. Monsoon rains, which are essential to the country’s nearly US$4 trillion (S$5.1 trillion) economy, provide around 70 percent of the water needed for farming and to replenish vital reservoirs and groundwater supplies. With nearly half of India’s farmland lacking irrigation infrastructure, the June-to-September monsoon season is critical for agriculture.
IMD Director-General Dr Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said during a virtual briefing that most parts of the country, excluding the northeastern region and the southern states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala, are likely to receive rainfall exceeding 106 percent of the 50-year average for July.
Key crop-producing regions, including Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh, are forecast to benefit from abundant rain. These areas cultivate major summer crops such as soybeans, cotton, and rice. Northern and eastern states are also expected to see healthy rainfall, which is vital for rice farming. India received 9 percent more rainfall than the long-term average in June, with the monsoon covering the entire country nine days ahead of schedule. This early onset has already helped accelerate the sowing of summer crops.
As of June 30, farmers had planted 26.2 million hectares with summer crops, an increase of 11.3 percent compared to the same period last year, according to data from the agriculture ministry. Rice cultivation alone reached 3.5 million hectares, significantly higher than 2.4 million hectares in 2024. Oilseed sowing, including soybeans, also rose to 4.9 million hectares from 4 million hectares a year earlier.
A Mumbai-based trader from a global agricultural firm noted that recent rains have improved soil moisture, setting the stage for strong planting progress in the coming weeks. “July rainfall is critical for crop development. If the surplus rains continue, India could see excellent yields this season,” the trader said.