Amid the growing cases of coronavirus and uncertainty of the Indian economic future, the Indian Metrological Department (IMD) this year's prediction of a normal monsoon in 2020 is a hope for the agricultural economy which adds as a major part of Indian GDP.
IMD predicted southwest monsoon this year to be 100 per cent of the long period average (LPA). Timely prediction of cyclone Amphan helped farmers in West Bengal and Odisha to reduce the effect. This prediction won praise from the World Metrological Organisation.
LPA represents the average rainfall country that will receive during the southwest monsoon over the last five decades, which stands at 88cm.
The forecast of monsoon is important for Indian farmers as it affects farmers' income and rural production in the country. Farmers who are the main part of the GDP, good food production increase the growth of it.
While the Indian economy is facing hard hit due to the COVID-19 pandemic which completely halted sectors- aviation, travel, and tourism. Good produce this year can add up to the GDP helping the post-pandemic economy to sustain.
India is the biggest producer of sugar, cotton, and pulses in the world. As the monsoon which plays an important role in the cultivation of India’s farm products, the stable southwest monsoon is a plus for farmers in the country.
Consecutive dry monsoons have caused water scarcity in the country. Besides, the groundwater levels are diminishing which adversely affects the farm produce every year, good monsoon reduces these effects.
Indian agriculture and allied sectors took hit due to the two-month-long lockdown during the time of production in farmers' hands. This hit along with existing factors like low income, debt, and past weather fluctuation this monsoon can help farmers to good produce in next season.
Sale of poultry products hit during the COVID-19 due to the fake rumours prevailed and farmers' problems like lack of petrol and diesel to move production closed storage houses and disruption in marketing and supply chain also affected his income.
During such bleak times prevailed around the country a stable monsoon is what a farmer could wish for, which he will get this year during the present crop season raising the hopes for better profits in next season.
