India's Kharif sowing gap with last year narrowed even as the cumulative rainfall deficit widened over the past three weeks. Conditions are expected to improve, with above-normal rains forecast in parts of East and Central India in the coming weeks, according to a Dolat Capital report.
According to the report, India's cumulative rainfall deficit widened steadily over the past three weeks, from 15 per cent as of July 8 to 17.8 per cent on July 12 and 23.8 per cent by July 19. Despite the deterioration in rainfall, Kharif sowing continued to progress, indicating that sowing activity has so far been supported by accumulated soil moisture.
