Crop Sowing Increases by 21% Due to Heavy Monsoon Rains, Says Agriculture Ministry

Monsoon rain has already entered into many states which gears up Kharif sowing with a new pace. As per the recent reports from Agriculture Ministry, Indian farmers have planted 69.2 million hectares with summer crops, up 21.2% from this time a year earlier boosted by bountiful monsoon rains.

Farmers usually start planting their summer-sown crops from June 1, when monsoon rains usually reach India and continues till the end of July or August.

Planting of Rice Previous Year vs This Year

Planting of rice, the key summer crop, was at 16.8 million hectares as of July 17 versus 14.2 million hectares in the previous year, the ministry said.

Cotton Planting
The area planted with cotton was at 11.3 million hectares versus 9.6 million hectares the prior year.

Planting of overall oilseeds, including soybean - the main summer oilseed crop - was at 15.5 million hectares, up from 11 million hectares from the previous year.

Soybean Sowing
The world's biggest buyer of cooking oils Soybean jump by at least 15% in 2020.

Sugarcane Sowing

Sugarcane sowing in the world's biggest sugar producer reached 5.1 million hectares compared with 5 million hectares last year.

According to Indian Meteorological Department, average, or normal, rainfall as between 96% and 104% of a 50-year average of 88 cm for the entire four-month season.