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Progress to Gujarat `may be delayed'

THE south-west monsoon has advanced to some northern States, but is unlikely to progress to the drought-hit western Gujarat for at least a few more days, according to a senior official of the weather department.

Oilseed and cotton farmers in Gujarat begin sowing once the monsoon usually sets in around June 15 and harvesting is done in October.

A slowdown in the progress of the monsoon could delay sowing in the State -- the country's biggest producer of groundnut and cotton. It accounts for 25 to 30 per cent of the country's cotton output and 35 per cent of groundnut production.

Timely rains are more crucial in the central and western States this year due to the impact of a two-month-old drought.

The four-month monsoon, which accounts for about 80 per cent of total rainfall, arrived on time over Kerala. It has covered major parts of southern and the North-Eastern States.

``The monsoon has advanced into some parts of Madhya Pradesh and Haryana and Punjab,'' the official of the India Meteorological Department told Reuters.

He said the monsoon had not yet shown signs of advancing to Gujarat and the neighbouring Rajasthan, another main cotton producer.

Farmers in Madhya Pradesh, the soyabean hub, have also been awaiting for more monsoon rains before they start sowing the 2000-01 crop (November-October).

The monsoon had hit Maharashtra on June 5, a few days ahead of schedule but then entered a weak phase. -- Reuters