New Delhi, May 29 -- India is expected to see the timely start to kharif sowing, supported by the India Meteorological Department's (IMD) improved rainfall forecast, according to a recent report by ICRA.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) raised its rainfall forecast to 106 per cent +/- 4 per cent of the long period average (LPA), up from the initial forecast of 105 per cent +/- 5 per cent of LPA.

This augurs well for the sowing of kharif crops, although an even temporal and spatial distribution is paramount to ensure a favourable increase in crop yields." ICRA said.

"While this would help to replenish reservoir levels, it could prove adverse for standing crops if there is excessive rainfall concentrated during short periods of ...