Sowing of crops till date in the ongoing rabi season increased by 7 per cent to 582.9 lakh hectares from 545.5 lakh hectares a year ago, data released by the Agriculture Ministry showed.

The acreage was also higher than the normal of 567.1 lakh hectares (lh) for the period. The normal area for the entire season, based on five years average, is 638.4 lh.

Rabi sowing so far was higher this year due to good moisture content in the soil following near-normal rains in the monsoon season.

While sowing of wheat, pulses and oilseeds till December 30 continued to rise, the acreage under rice and coarse cereals fell, according to the data compiled by the Agriculture Ministry on Friday.

Wheat coverage

Acreage under wheat in the on-going season increased by eight per cent to 292.39 lh compared to the 286.32 lh registered during the corresponding week last year.

Higher area coverage was reported from MP, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Jharkhand and Uttarakhand, while there was lower coverage in Gujarat, J&K, HP, Karnataka, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. Paddy sowing was much lower at 10.68 lh (14.71 lh). Higher area coverage was reported only from Telangana.

Pulses sowing in the on-going rabi season till December 30 registered a 13 per cent rise at 148.11 lh (133.17 lh).

Acreage was higher in Maharashtra, Rajasthan, MP, Jharkhand and Odisha, while it was lower in Karnataka, Haryana, J&K and Tamil Nadu.

Coarse cereals hit

Coarse cereals sowing was lower this rabi season at 52.21 lakh hectares compared to the corresponding week’s 54.79 lakh hectares last year.

Acreage was higher in Bihar, MP, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu and lower in Karnataka, Maharashtra, AP and Telangana.

Oilseeds sowing was slightly higher at 79.48 lh (78.14 lh).

Sowing was higher in Rajasthan, Jharkhand, MP and UP and lower in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu.

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