monsoon-may-hit-kerala-on-june1st-remain-below-normal

newdehi

This year Monsoon is expected to arrive on time this may, hit Kerala on June 1st . Earlier IMD announced that  rainfall may remain below normal.The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), which has earlier forecast below-average monsoon in 2015, is scheduled to announce on May 15 the likely date of monsoon onset and its progress thereafter.Private weather forecaster also release its update on monsoon around the same time

After a poor monsoon in 2014, the untimely rains during March-April this year have already put farmers in distress and there have been quite a few cases of farmer suicides.

Last year, the country had received 12 per cent less rains, which hit production of grains, cotton and oilseeds.Preparing for below-average rains, the Agriculture Ministry is working hard to minimise the impact of weak monsoon on kharif production especially rice and food inflation.

Agriculture, which contributes only 15 per cent to India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) but employs about 60 per cent of population, is heavily dependent on monsoon as only 40 per cent of the cultivable area is under irrigation.The contingency plan would cover as many as 580 districts that may witness monsoon deficit, while the Agriculture Ministry is also mulling over steps to popularise crop insurance schemes among the farming community.