Area under paddy in Punjab may shrink due to delayed monsoon

The area under paddy crop in Punjab may shrink in the ongoing Kharif season due to a delay in monsoon.    

"If the current situation (delayed rains) continues to prolong in the sowing season, the target of bringing 26 lakh hectares of area under paddy crop may not be achievable this season," Department of Agriculture, Punjab, Joint Director Gurdial Singh told PTI here.    

Acknowledging that paddy sowing exercise has not picked up so far in the state due to lack of rainfall and high temperature conditions, he said that as compared to last year's sowing, area under paddy this year so far was less by over 10 per cent.    

"Last year at this point in time, over 50 per cent of area was bought under paddy crop but now only 40 per cent area under paddy has been covered," he said.      

Punjab has targeted to bring 26 lakh hectares under paddy cultivation with paddy output at 152 lakh MT during the current Kharif season. Last year, the state brought record area of 27.35 lakh hectares under paddy with production of 164.18 lakh MT.