Tag: revival of monsoon rains

Ample monsoon rains have accelerated the planting of summer-sown rice, according to the latest farm ministry data, after a slow start to the sowing season that began in June.Crop-nourishing monsoon rains picked up in July and August, allowing farmers to plant 32.8 million hectares (81 million acres) with rice by Friday, up 5.1 per cent from the same period last year.An increase in rice planting, the world's second-biggest producer of the grain, will ease concerns that supplies could be squeezed after New Delhi, in a surprise move late...