The controversy over stubble burning continued to have an impact on wheat sowing across Central and North India with the total area under wheat cultivation slumping by 12 per cent to 110.66 lakh hectares (lh) as compared to the corresponding period last year.

The total acreage under rabi crops, however, inched close to normal, thanks to an increase in the area of cultivation of pulses and rice.

According to data released by the Agriculture Ministry on Friday, the sowing has been taken up over an area of 315.86 lh, which is 1.46 per cent lower than 320.55 lh during the same period the previous year.

All major wheat-growing States — Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana — where burning of crop residue from kharif paddy became a controversial issue have reported lower area under wheat cultivation.

The area is down in Madhya Pradesh, too.

The area under pulses went up nearly 14 per cent to 101 lh on account of 16 per cent increase in acreage in gram, which is predominant among rabi pulses crops.

There is a modest 7 per cent increase in area under coarse cereals to 36.35 lh (34 lh). The acreage of oilseeds was down 9 per cent to 58 lh (64 lh).

The area under winter rice cultivation was up 30 per cent to 9.49 lh from 7.32 lh during the corresponding period in the previous season.

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