<p>It seems that the two days delay in the southwest monsoon will have a major bearing on the sowing of major crops including rice, corn, and soybeans in the country.</p> <p>The southwest monsoon, which waters more than half of the farmland will not reach the mainland as expected. As per the India Meteorological Department, the monsoon is likely to arrive in the southern state of Kerala on Thursday.</p> <p>Earlier the IMD predicted May 31 as the onset for the June-September rainy season, which usually starts on June 1, as per the Bloomberg report.</p> <p>It is important that the monsoon arrives in time because the crop output is dependent on monsoon which is linked to economic growth, especially when the country is fighting the world&rsquo;s worst outbreak of Covid-19.</p> <p><strong>READ: <a href="https://ift.tt/3uwnJdj Life Saving Medicines To Be Included In Lower GST Slabs? FM Sitharaman Speaks Out</a></strong></p> <p>The deadly virus has penetrated into the rural areas, where about 70 percent of the nation&rsquo;s more than 1.3 billion people live. Agriculture accounts for 18 percent of its economy. Monsoon is eagerly awaited before farmers begin planting food grains, cotton, soybeans, peanuts, and sugarcane.</p> <p>A result of a deficit in rains during the early part of the season may mean a delay in sowing which will impact harvests, even if the monsoon gathers pace later.</p> <p>In April, the IMD forecasted annual rainfall to be 98 percent of the long-term average in 2019. Bountiful rains helped crops and boosted India&rsquo;s foodgrain output to a record in 2020-21.</p> <p>Continuing with the decline in Covid cases, India has reported around 1.5 lakh new Coronavirus cases on Monday.&nbsp; <span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0">India reported 1,52,734 new </span><span class="r-18u37iz">COVID 19</span><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0"> cases, 2,38,022 discharges &amp; 3,128 deaths in last 24 hrs, as per Health Ministry.</span></p>

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