Kharif pulses sowing up by 11%

Amid rising prices, the sowing of pulses has increased by 11 per cent while paddy acreage has risen marginally so far this kharif season.

According to agriculture ministry's sowing data released on Friday, the area under coverage for paddy has increased to 36.84 million hectares so far in this kharif season (summer-sown), from 36.65 million hectares in the year-ago period. Pulse’s sowing went up to 11 million hectares, from 9.91 million hectares. Farmers are putting more area under this crop in view of a sharp rise in retail prices, which have gone up to Rs 150 per kg.

The total area sown under kharif crops as on September 11, 2015 has reached to 101.20 million hectares as compared to 99.45 million hectare last year at this time, an official statement said.

Coarse cereals’ sowing area also increased to 18.1 million hectares so far this kharif season, from 17.11 million hectares in the corresponding period last year.

In non-foodgrain category, area under coverage for oilseeds is up, but sowing has declined for cotton.

Oilseeds sowing went up to 18.12 million hectares, from 17.55 million hectares. However, cotton’s sowing fell to 11.48 million hectares as against 12.53 million hectares.

Monsoon rains have revived in the worst-hit central India and southern peninsula regions that would help boost kharif crops and water level in reservoirs, a top official of Met department said on Friday.

Monsoon deficit has been at 12 per cent so far this season (June 1 to September 2).