With the monsoon season coming to an end, the country will most likely record “above normal” rainfall by September 30, despite the delayed emergence of La Nina. At the macroeconomic level, adequate rains will help spur economic growth and keep inflation under check. With retail food inflation ruling above 8 per cent for several months, higher kharif sowing, plus benign international prices, offer hope of easing inflationary pressures in the months ahead. But shifting rainfall patterns coupled with El Nino and La Nina cycles can pose problems. In this respect, climate-resilient agricultural practices, improvement of drainage systems, and flood and drought management can go a long way in mitigating the impact of erratic monsoons, the top edit points out. Read it here