How do I use the IMD monsoon onset forecast to time my kharif sowing?

Use the IMD monsoon onset and progress updates to know when rain will reach your region, but do not sow on the forecast alone, wait until rain has actually wet the soil well in your field. IMD announces the monsoon onset over Kerala and then tracks its progress north and across the country, and gives a likely date range for each region. Follow these official updates and your KVK advisory as the season nears. The safe practice is to keep land and seed ready when the forecast says the monsoon is near, then sow once you have had good establishing rain on the ground, not just because rain is forecast. For irrigated farmers, the onset forecast helps plan nursery and field timing. For rainfed farmers it is most important, because a false start where you sow on early showers and then a dry spell follows can kill the crop. So treat the onset forecast as the signal to get ready, and let real soil moisture be the signal to actually sow.