Monsoon set to arrive early in Kerala by May 27, help India's crop sowing

India’s annual monsoon, which waters more than half of the country’s fields, is seen hitting the mainland earlier this year, helping sowing of key crops like rice, corn and soybeans.

The southwest monsoon is likely to arrive in the southern state of Kerala on May 27, according to the India Meteorological Department. The June-September rainy season typically starts on June 1. The forecast has a margin of error of four days.

Timely monsoon rains are critical for India’s farm output and economic growth at a time when the country is battling soaring food prices. The war in Ukraine has further