<h1>Kharif Crop Sowing Up 4% with Strong Monsoon; Agriculture Growth Projected at 4.5% in Q1 2025-26</h1> A research firm reported that the sowing of kharif crops this season is expected to exceed last year's level, supported by favorable monsoon conditions. As of July 2025, sowing has been completed on 76 percent of the normal area, marking a 4 percent increase year-on-year. Above-normal rainfall forecasted for August and September is likely to support continued sowing and reservoir replenishment, benefiting the upcoming rabi season. The Southwest Monsoon rainfall is estimated to surpass 106 percent of the long period average. The firm also projects a 4.5 percent growth in agriculture, forestry, and fishing gross value added for the first quarter of 2025-26, alongside a rise in real rural wages, which is expected to enhance rural consumption demand.