Kharif Crop Sowing Crosses 704 Lakh Ha; Area Coverage Increases by 7% Due to Favorable Monsoon

The Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare has released progress of area coverage under Kharif crops as on July 19, showing that area under coverage for paddy increased by seven per cent to 166.06 lakh hectares, thanks to better monsoon rains.

Sowing of paddy, which is a major kharif crop, was in 155.65 lakh hectares till July 19 last year, according to the agriculture ministry data, which also showed that the acreage of pulses has risen to 85.79 lakh hectares from 70.14 lakh hectares in the last season. Among pulses, the area under 'arhar' jumped to 33.48 lakh hectares from 19.34 lakh hectares.

Coarse cereals sowing area, however, was lower at 123.72 lakh hectares compared to 134.91 lakh hectares a year ago, an official release said, quoting the ministry's data.

In the non-food category, the area under coverage for oilseeds is higher so far this kharif sowing season at 163.11 lakh hectares compared to 150.91 lakh hectares in the same period last year. Among oilseeds, soybean acreage rose to 119.04 lakh hectares from 108.97 lakh hectares.

Cotton acreage is down so far this kharif season at 102.05 lakh hectares against 105.66 lakh hectares, the release said. But on the whole, the total area under coverage for all kharif crops has risen to 704.04 lakh hectares till July 19 of the current kharif sowing season compared to 680.36 lakh hectares during the same period last year.

More area under pulses and oilseed crop cultivation could lead to bumper output if the weather conditions remain conducive till harvest and reduce the import of edible oils and pulses to meet domestic needs.