Are you worried about rising food prices for vegetables like tomatoes, onions, and potatoes? One reason could be the changing patterns of monsoon and agriculture in India. The monsoon is now starting later, with less rain in June, proper rains in July, and heavy rains continuing into September. This year shows this trend well, with the monsoon arriving late and moving slowly. Experts believe climate change, delayed western disturbances, and Arctic Sea ice melting are the causes.
This new pattern leads to uneven rainfall, more dry days, and unusually high night temperatures, making farming and water management tough. In this monsoon update 2024, we will discuss the big impact of the monsoon climate in India on agriculture and the economy and the solutions.
Impact of Monsoon on Indian Agriculture As Of June 2024
- Rainfall Deficit: As the 2024 monsoon enters its first-month end, India faces an 18% shortfall of rainfall, which has left many farmers worried. The expected rains, crucial for planting kharif crops like paddy, have yet to be forthcoming as hoped, making farming in the area quite difficult. This highlights the importance of the monsoon and agriculture in India.
- Heatwave Effects: It has created a scenario that even the farmers in important agricultural states such as West Bengal, Odisha, Punjab, Haryana, and Andhra Pradesh are now forced to go for late sowing. The general condition further deteriorates with the fact that it is currently under the influence of the raging heatwave where the temperature scale is shooting beyond 48 degrees Celsius.
- Dry June: June has been a recurring problem, making it hard for farmers to sow Kharif crops. This affects crop growth and can lead to poor harvests, causing financial stress for farmers. This time, June is no longer suitable for Kharif sowing for millions of farmers.
- Unpredictable Rainfall: A 30-year analysis shows a consistent decrease in June rainfall across many districts. Their crops may not get enough water at crucial growth stages, leading to poor yields or even crop failure.
- Major Paddy Producing States Affected: States like West Bengal, Odisha, Punjab, Haryana, and Andhra Pradesh have faced extreme temperatures, disrupting paddy cultivation and showing the importance of monsoon and agriculture in India.
- Delayed Planting in Punjab: Even with good irrigation, Punjab farmers delayed paddy planting due to dry conditions, with many adopting a wait-and-see approach.
- Price Hike: While there’s hope that the monsoon effect on Indian agriculture will improve in the coming weeks, the impact on farming and the economy is already noticeable. As the season continues, people should expect higher prices for essential goods.
Latest Monsoon and Agriculture in India Updates as of August 2024
The monsoon in August is expected to be above normal, with rainfall forecasted at 94% to 106% of the Long Period Average (LPA). Moreover, September is also projected to have higher rainfall. As of August 1, rainfall is 3% above normal, following a strong July with 10% more rainfall than usual. June, however, had an 11% deficit.
Despite the good rains, food prices, especially vegetables, remain high, with a 12.1% increase in July. The overall Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation for July is 3.5%, influenced by rising telecom tariffs.
Kharif sowing is up by 2.3% compared to last year, but rice sowing is slightly behind due to low rainfall in Bihar and Jharkhand. The upcoming rains in August are crucial for stabilizing crop yields and controlling food inflation. Lastly, the government is also taking steps to stabilize the rice market by allowing states to purchase rice from the Food Corporation of India. These developments highlight the importance of monsoon and agriculture in India.
How India Can Adapt to Changing Monsoon Patterns 2024?
The monsoon in india in 2024 predicts above-normal rains in August, which may help stabilize crops and control food prices. To adapt, India needs strategies that will help with changing monsoon patterns. Learn more below:
- Decentralised Climate Adaptation: Each state and union territory in India should make its climate plans. The plans should include crop insurance, power supplies, and groundwater quality. For example, Thane, Maharashtra, worked with CEEW to create a heat action plan that others can use as a model.
- Precision Agriculture and AI-Driven Farming: Monitor crops and soils in real time using Internet of Things sensors, drones, and satellite imaging. Besides this, AI models can predict the best planting time and crop choice based on patterns of monsoons.
- Monsoon Data Utilization: Use Indian Monsoon Data to map local weather patterns. This helps local leaders prepare for and respond to disasters. Combine this weather data to assess risks in farming, water, and energy.
- Urban Rainfall Harvesting and Water Banking: Require rain-harvesting systems for all buildings to transform cities into water catchment areas. Implement a “water credit” system to bank or trade extra harvested water, encouraging conservation. These measures are necessary for the monsoon and agriculture in India.
- Floating Agriculture and Aquaponics: Promote floating farms and gardens in flood-prone areas. Integrate these with aquaponics systems to create food production units that thrive in both excess water and drought conditions.
- Use of Advanced Tractors: Swaraj 855 FE 2WD, Mahindra ARJUN 605 DI MS 4WD, and New Holland 3630 TX SPECIAL EDITION 2WD are some of the advanced tractors with double-clutch or dual-clutch systems and IPTO. These systems help operate tools smoothly, and IPTO gives steady power for spraying and harvesting, even if rain is irregular.
Conclusion
The importance of monsoons in Indian agriculture is huge, as 61% of farmers depend on them to plant crops. Most of India’s drinking water, irrigation, and power come from the monsoon rains. It matters to India that the crops grow well when the rains are good and that food prices are stable. But if the rain is less than good, this monsoon impact on Indian agriculture causes crop failure, raising food prices and creating economic problems.
The 2024 monsoon outlook shows an 18% rainfall deficit in June but predicts above-normal rains in August, which may help stabilize crops and control food prices. To adapt to agriculture and monsoons, India needs local climate plans, resilient crops, precision farming, better monsoon data use, urban water harvesting, and floating farms. These strategies will help India manage changing monsoon patterns and secure its agriculture and economy.
Related Blogs
Artificial Intelligence in Agriculture
10 Uses of Tractors In Agriculture
