Monsoon Storms Rock Pulse Boat

VANCOUVER - Jul 27/13 - SNS -- Farmers in India made excellent progress planting this year's kharif or monsoon season crops during the past week.

As of July 26, farmers have planted 7.362 million hectares of pulses, more than double last week. Progress jumped over one million hectares ahead of this time last year, but remains slightly behind the recent five-year average of 7.492 million.

Land in all crops now totals 74.778 million hectares, compared to the long term average of 71.917 million by this time. Normally, India's farmers have planted 71% of all kharif season crops by this time in July and 70% of their pulses.

The general increase in seeding progress relates to this year's faster than normal advance of monsoon rains across the country. Rainfall in June was 32% above normal. July has been a little above normal, while rainfall levels are expected to increase again during August. July is normally the wettest month, but India has experienced several years of below normal rainfall during that month, which has made it harder for the country to reach its production targets for pulses.

Above normal monsoon rainfall is also significant for rabi or winter season prospects. For them, farmers mainly rely on soil moisture reserves and timely rainfall events. Most of India's pulses are grown during the rabi season, including desi and kabuli chickpeas, red lentils, and field peas.