New Delhi, May 11 -- India is anticipating a boost to its crucial farm sector as the monsoon rains are forecast to arrive in Kerala on 27 May, the earliest in six years, raising hopes for bumper Kharif harvests.

Agriculture experts say the early arrival of monsoon will aid key summer crops such as paddy, maize, cotton, soybean and other oilseeds. The southwest monsoon is crucial to India's agrarian economy as it delivers nearly 70% of its annual rainfall. Also, about 51% of India's net sowing area is dependent on monsoon rains.

Early and plentiful monsoon rains are poised to ease food supply worries, stimulate rural spending, and curb food inflation, which should also reduce electricity and diesel consumption for irrigation, they said....