The monsoon rains, which advanced to north India last week, would boost paddy transplantation in Punjab and Haryana and help farmers save expenditure on diesel and power for irrigation, experts said. South-west monsoon, the life line of Indian agriculture where 60 per cent of cultivable land is not irrigated, had hit Kerala on June 5. But its progress got delayed, raising concerns over the adverse impact on kharif crops such as paddy and soyabean. Till July 4, there was 30 per cent deficit rainfall. Paddy transplanting would pick up pace as conditions are favourable for further advance of southwest monsoon in these two states in the coming days, he said. Rathore said rains have brought down temperatures in these two states and has improved moisture level in soil and air that benefits transplanting of paddy saplings.

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