Why can the timing of monsoon onset be decisive for kharif agriculture?

Correct answer: Because sowing and early growth are linked with timely rain

The direct answer is A: sowing and early crop growth are linked with timely rain. Kharif crops such as rice, maize, cotton and millets are generally sown when the southwest monsoon brings enough moisture. Step by step: the monsoon arrives; farmers receive soil moisture; seeds are sown; seeds germinate and young plants grow. If onset is late, sowing may be delayed, or farmers may need irrigation. If rain is too little or badly timed, germination and early growth suffer. Option A is correct because it connects rain timing with these first stages. B is wrong because kharif crops are mainly linked with the rainy season, not winter frost. C is wrong because moisture is essential for germination and growth. D is wrong because the monsoon affects land as well as sea. Memory cue: kharif means rain-season crops—remember “rain on time, sowing on time.”