Mustard, groundnut lift oilseed acreage

Oilseeds this year have been sown over 11.09 million hectares so far in the current winter crop season, compared with 9.83 million last year, according to the latest government data released on Monday.

Rabi sowing for other crops like wheat and maize is complete.

Winter crops are sown during October-December, while harvest begins in March and ends in April.

The total area under rabi oilseed crops this year is significantly higher due to a substantial increase in mustard and groundnut acreage.

Till March 10, mustard had been sown over 7.33 million hectares compared with 7.14 million hectares a year ago, while groundnut is sown across 1.07 million hectares as against 9,45,000 hectares last year. Higher groundnut sowing has been reported in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

Rabi oilseeds account for about 40 per cent of India's total oilseed output.

Sowing for wheat, maize, pulses and coarse cereals is already complete in most parts of the country.

Rice transplantation is, however, still in progress in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Orissa and West Bengal.

Total acreage under rice so far is reported at 4.05 million hectares, up from 3.46 million a year ago.