India depends on the monsoon for 75% of its annual rainfall, but the country’s grain-producing northern, western, and central regions, have received only 2% – 10% of normal rainfall in recent days. In mid-July rainfall had increased bringing an alarming 43% rainfall deficit to a 16% deficit. However, over the past two weeks rainfall has ebbed, widening the overall rainfall deficit for the entire country to 18%. Overall this is not critical, but conditions are worse in grain producing regions. In Punjab and Haryana the rainfall deficit is in excess of 60% and the Indian Meteorological Department forecasts significant rainfall only in the east and northeast in the coming days. In Punjab 95% of the farms have irrigation capabilities, but it Haryana this number is only 60%. Even with irrigation, cost of production is forecast to increase because of the need to use the systems. To read more about the latest information regarding the Indian monsoon:
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