Pulses sowing rises by 10% to 101.96 lakh hectares

The area under pulses crops has increased by 10 per cent to 101.96 lakh hectares in the ongoing kharif season so far compared with the last year.
The area under pulses was 92.57 lakh hectares during the same period of last year.
Area under other kharif crops such as coarse cereals, sugarcane and paddy has also increased.
"The total sown area under kharif crops as on August 21, 2015, stands at 938.41 lakh hectares as compared to 929.48 lakh hectare last year at this time," Agriculture Ministry said in a statement.
Rice has been sown in 333.65 lakh hectares so far compared to 332.09 lakh hectares.

Area under coarse cereals has increased to 167.69 lakh hectares from 162.27 lakh hectares in the last season, sugarcane acreage has also rose to 48.84 lakh hectares from 47.17 lakh hectares.
However, the area under cotton has declined to 110.23 lakh hectares from 118.81 lakh hectares in the last season, and oilseeds acreage has also come down to 168.25 lakh hectares from 168.45 lakh hectares.
Also, area under jute & mesta has also come down to 7.80 lakh hectares from 8.13 lakh hectares.