Ample monsoon rains recharge dams, boost winter crop outlook

• Grain producing belt receives 15% more rainfall

- BLOOMBERG

AMPLE MONSOON RAINFALL has helped replenish water in key reservoirs, improving prospects for winter-sown crops such as wheat and rapeseed that mostly rely on dams and groundwater for irrigation.

Winter crop area is likely to rise this year, secretary, department of agriculture and farmers welfare Devesh Chaturvedi said.

The country could see a record harvest of food grains, including rice, grown during the rainy season as the weather has been conducive, he said.