 "Kharif sowing enters last leg as pulses steal the show")
Sowing of kharif crops, which has entered its last leg, maintained the brisk pace seen since the start of the season, as the southwest monsoon remained active over most parts of the country during the week.
According to data furnished by the department of agriculture, kharif sowing was completed on 95.41 million hectares, which was 6.50 per cent more than the area sown during the year-ago period.
With sowing completes in almost 90 per cent of the normal area (the average area under kharif crops in the last five years), there is a big possibility that the total acreage might top normal area if the pace is maintained.
The southwest monsoon during the week ended August 10 was around 15 per cent more than normal, because of strong showers in Rajasthan, parts of Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat.
This season, from June 1 to August 10, the southwest monsoon has been around three per cent above normal, with rains being the maximum in north-west and central India.
Agriculture ministry’s data showed that acreage under pulses has gone up by 33 per cent to 13.01 million hectares so far in the kharif season on good monsoon and an increase in market price.
Pulses acreage (area sown) stood at 9.77 million hectares last season, raising hopes of higher production and softening of high retail prices once the new crop reached the markets.
Paddy has been sown/transplanted on 32.60 million hectares so far this kharif season, against 30.47 million hectares in the last season. Area under coverage of coarse cereals stood at 17.35 million hectares up from 16.37 million hectares last year. Oilseeds sown area went up to 17.22 million hectares from 16.38 million hectares.
However, area under sugarcane fell to 4.55 million hectares from 4.95 million hectares. Cotton area declined to 9.90 million hectares from 10.86 million hectares last year.
According to data furnished by the department of agriculture, kharif sowing was completed on 95.41 million hectares, which was 6.50 per cent more than the area sown during the year-ago period.
With sowing completes in almost 90 per cent of the normal area (the average area under kharif crops in the last five years), there is a big possibility that the total acreage might top normal area if the pace is maintained.
The southwest monsoon during the week ended August 10 was around 15 per cent more than normal, because of strong showers in Rajasthan, parts of Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat.
This season, from June 1 to August 10, the southwest monsoon has been around three per cent above normal, with rains being the maximum in north-west and central India.
Agriculture ministry’s data showed that acreage under pulses has gone up by 33 per cent to 13.01 million hectares so far in the kharif season on good monsoon and an increase in market price.
Pulses acreage (area sown) stood at 9.77 million hectares last season, raising hopes of higher production and softening of high retail prices once the new crop reached the markets.
Paddy has been sown/transplanted on 32.60 million hectares so far this kharif season, against 30.47 million hectares in the last season. Area under coverage of coarse cereals stood at 17.35 million hectares up from 16.37 million hectares last year. Oilseeds sown area went up to 17.22 million hectares from 16.38 million hectares.
However, area under sugarcane fell to 4.55 million hectares from 4.95 million hectares. Cotton area declined to 9.90 million hectares from 10.86 million hectares last year.
