Rice, oilseeds acreage declines, pulses acreage goes up 50%

The area sown under rice and oilseeds has declined so far this kharif season while pulses acreage has gone up by over 50 per cent.

The area under rice has decreased by over six per cent to 337,000 hectares this kharif season from 361,000 hectares in the same period last year, according to an official statement.

Area under coverage for oilseeds has decreased to 27,000 hectares, down 43 per cent compared to last year. Area under sugarcane has increased by five per cent to 4,285,000 hectares as compared to 4,075,000 hectares last year.

The area sown under pulses has increased by 53 per cent to 53,500 hectares so far this kharif season compared to 35,000 hectares in the year-ago period.

Higher pulses acreage augurs well for consumers, who have been paying very high prices for the commodity since last year.
    
Under pulses, the acreage of arhar has increased by 66 per cent to 5,000 hectares, that under urad has risen by one and a half times to 9,000 hectares and moong acreage has almost doubled to 11,000 hectares compared to last year. Moong dal prices are currently raging at Rs 94 per kg.
    
In oilseeds, the area sown under sunflower has remained stable at 1,000 hectares, that under groundnut has decreased by 25 per cent to 7,500 hectares.