Drop in kharif crop acreage to improve

Agriculture ministry officials are confident the drop in acreage of major kharif crops for the 2011-12 crop season will be recovered in time, as the southwest monsoon has become active in the eastern and western parts of the country.

Till last Friday, barring rice and sugarcane, acreage of all other major kharif crops was less than what it was during the same period last year. The area under pulses was around 15.9 per cent down, while that under coarse grains, oilseeds and cotton was 6.86 per cent, 3.55 per cent and 30.24 per cent less, respectively.

“We have got reports that rains have started in oilseeds, pulses and cotton growing regions, and are hopeful the situation will vastly improve by the time the next acreage update comes this Friday,” agriculture secretary P K Basu told reporters. He said there had been no decision on wheat export.