Monsoon Entry Delayed in Rajasthan, Likely to Arrive By Next Week

This year’s Monsoons in the state of Rajasthan is predicted to arrive by next week, as per the Meteorological Department of the country i.e. IMD.  There seems to be a delay of roughly 10 days. The South-west monsoon normally enters one of the largest Agricultural crop producing state, from its southern region and generally the time of arrival is June 15. Monsoon winds continue influencing the weather of Rajasthan till September 20. 

As per an assessment of 30 years of data by the IMD, monsoon generally covers the entire state by July 15 and it starts retreating September 1 onwards, and by end of September, it completely moves away from Rajasthan. The weather department also reported that in the current season the monsoon is likely to cover the entire state by July 8. The retreating process might commence from September 17 this season and by September 27 the monsoon will completely depart. 

Rajasthan has a diverse agro-climatic condition and is actively engaged in the cultivation of a variety of crops, with a strong animal husbandry sector. Having a contribution of nearly 25.56% of State’s total GSDP in 2019-20, Agriculture in the state, continues to be the backbone of the State’s economy with Agriculture & allied sectors.  

In context to Agriculture Production in Rajasthan, preliminary forecast for the year 2019-20 suggests that the total food grain production in the State may be near 249.88 lakh tonnes, an increase of 8.06 per cent as versus 231.25 lakh tonnes of production in the previous year. Government forecasts indicate Kharif output to increase by 5.56 per cent, while the Rabi output is projected to increase by 9.50 per cent approximately.  

Rajasthan ranks first in producing barley, mustard, pearl millet, coriander, fenugreek and guar in India. The state is producer of nearly 72% of guar of the world and 60% of India's barley crop output. Rajasthan is major producer of aloe vera, amla, oranges leading producer of maize, groundnut. The state government had initiated olive cultivation with technical support from Israel. The current production of olives in the state is around 100–110 tonnes annually. Rajasthan is India's second largest producer of milk, with nearly 13800 dairy co-operative societies. Being one of the leading producers of Agricultural crops, rainfall intensity and distribution therefore important in assessing the state’s potential to supply agricultural products locally/within states/countries or to the overseas destinations, for a particular year.