After patchy start, southwest monsoon revival fuels hope for kharif crop

Any production drop could push inflation concerns

The southwest monsoon has started showing much needed signs of revival in the past few days, after a subdued spell from June-end to mid-July that fuelled inflationary concerns on the back of a dip in kharif sowing.

The rains, which are not only crucial for Indian agriculture but also have a significant bearing on the country’s overall economic sentiment, were 10 per cent above normal till end June.

But after June 19, there was virtually no rain, which left large parts of North, West and Central India parched.

Data shows that between July 1 and 18, the southwest monsoon was