This monsoon season the acreage under pulses has increased by a third. Stable monsoon this season has helped sowing increase around the country. Farmers who were depressed due to losses by lockdown revived their activities at full scale with the help of monsoon.
The government has set a target of 25.6 million tonnes of pulses production this year. This target is 11.2 percent more than the estimated output of year before.
The current Kharif season accounts for about 30 percent of whole pulses production in the country. This season the production of pulses has increased by 20 percent this adds to the overall Kharif planting making the planting up by 21.20 percent.
India’s annual requirement of pulses stands at 25-26million tonnes. Pluses are mainly produced in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh. In these states, good rains helped to increase the also raise production.
Are under oilseeds has seen a sharp rise of 41 percent which is 15.49 million hectares from 11 million hectares during this period.
“There is an increase in areas of soya bean crop and groundnut crop due to timely and good rains in Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat. Last year, heavy damage was reported in soya bean due to uneven rains, but this year we expect bountiful crop,” said a government official.
This year rains helped farmers in states like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Punjab increasing their sowing. After 10 years, Bihar saw good rains which increased the motivation of farmers to sow more.
The procurement of wheat and other crops was also smooth during the lockdown. This played a crucial role or else farmers would have stored their produce in storage units with no clear idea about when it they will sell it.
