India recorded 8% above average rainfall in 2024, at 108% of the long-period average, benefiting most regions despite uneven distribution
Higher rainfall has led to a 1.5% increase in kharif sowing, with crops like paddy, pulses, oilseeds, and sugarcane showing growth year-on-year
Ample soil moisture and higher reservoir levels provide favourable conditions for rabi crops like wheat, mustard, and lentils
With retail food inflation at 5.7%, higher sowing and stable international prices could ease inflation and support economic growth
Reservoirs now hold 157.159 billion cubic metres of water, 87% of live storage capacity, compared to 127.713 billion cubic metres last year
While a good monsoon brings short-term optimism, policymakers must focus on long-term water management and climate change resilience