India received 6 per cent higher rainfall than normal in the 2013 monsoon season ended on September 30, the Indian Meteorological Department said on Tuesday, strengthening prospects of a bumper farm output that could boost farmers' earnings.
Monsoon rains are vital for 55 per cent of the country's farmlands that lack irrigation facilities, and can make the difference between India being an exporter or importer
of staples such as rice and sugar.
There was excessive rainfall over 48 per cent of total area from June to September, while 38 percent area received normal rains, the IMD said on its website.
Rainfall was deficient in 14 per cent of the total area.
Agriculture accounts for 15 per cent of gross domestic product in Asia's third-largest economy, where more than 800 million people live in rural areas. Ample harvests also help keep a lid on food inflation, now running in double digits.
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India received 6 per cent higher rainfall than normal in the 2013 monsoon season ended on September 30, the Indian Meteorological Department said on Tuesday, strengthening prospects of a bumper farm output that could boost farmers' earnings.