Monsoon revival increases kharif sowing area; gap down to 27%

Sowing operations of kharif crop have gathered pace with some revival in monsoon rains as the total area under cultivation is now lower by just about 27 per cent at 53.32 million hectares.
Total area covered was 72.91 million hectares in the year -ago period, according to Agriculture Ministry data.
Till last week, the area covered was lower by 45 per cent over last year, but the revival of monsoon in northern and central parts of country has given a push to the sowing operations.
Sowing of kharif crop begins with the onset of southwest monsoon in June.
For the week ended today, the area under cultivation of the major kharif crop paddy is down by 13 per cent at 16.57 million hectares. Farmers had sown paddy in 18.99 million hectares in the year-ago period.

Oilseeds acreage was 29 per cent lower at 10.78 million hectares, from 15.31 million hectares; while area planted to pulses was down by 39 per cent to 4.47 million hectare from 7.33 million hectare.
Meanwhile, area under coarse cereals was down by 43 per cent at 8.44 million hectares, from 14.91 million hectares.