The Hindu Business Line : Oilseeds, cotton coverage rises on monsoon revival

Rainfall, which was 15 per cent below normal till July 28, was 10 per cent lower than average till August 4, according to the India Meteorological Department. A report from Bloomberg, quoting a department official, said the shortfall had further been cut to seven per cent as on August 11.

An Agriculture Ministry statement said coverage of cotton was up at 75 lakh hectares (lh) as against 71.5 lh during the same period last year. Area under cotton has improved in almost all the growing States, barring Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu.

Coverage of oilseeds has also increased with 154.2 lh being brought under cultivation as against 138.5 lh a year ago. Soyabean has been covered in a record 75.5 lh with all growing States reporting a rise in acreage.

According to the Soyabean Processors Association of India, farmers have gone in for better agricultural management and practices. The association President, Mr Rajesh Agrawal, said currently, the crop was satisfactory but the focus would be on pod formation.

Groundnut sowing is up by 8.7 lh at 53.5 lh, while sunflower is also up 2.7 lh at 6.8 lh. Groundnut sowing in Gujarat is down a tad by 80,000 hectares. Coverage of other oilseeds such as castor, nigerseed and sesamum is expected to pick up in the coming days.

In the case of rice, the area is down by 13.8 lh at 220.6 lh. Barring J&K and Tamil Nadu, coverage is down in almost all the States.

Sowing of sugarcane has declined to 37.4 lh (46.3 lh last year) as also jute at 7 lh (8.2 lh).

Coarse cereals coverage has dipped by nearly 20 per cent to 161.2 lh with the area under bajra sharply down at 51.7 lh (82.9 lh). The area under maize has, however, increased a tad to 64.7 lh.

Coverage of pulses is witnessing a nearly 30 per cent decrease at 83.2 lh. With the inflow into the reservoirs improving, the ministry expects further coverage of kharif crops.

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