The area under coverage for paddy till July 15 in the ongoing Kharif (summer sown) registered an increase of 21 per cent to 115.64 lakh hectares, due to better monsoon rains. According to the agriculture ministry's latest data, sowing of paddy, a major kharif crop, was in an area of 95.78 lakh hectares till July 15 last year.
The Department of Agriculture released the progress of area coverage under kharif crops as of July 15, 2024, showing that the acreage of pulses has risen to 62.32 lakh hectares from 49.50 lakh hectares in the last season. The area under arhar jumped to 28.14 lakh hectares from 9.66 lakh hectares.
Coarse cereals sowing area, however, dropped to 97.64 lakh hectares against 104.99 lakh hectares a year ago. In the non-food category, the area under coverage for oilseeds is higher so far at 140.43 lakh hectares. It was 115.08 lakh hectares in the same period last year. Among oilseeds, soyabean acreage has risen to 108.10 lakh hectares from 82.44 lakh hectares.
Cotton acreage is up, but marginally, at 95.79 lakh hectares against 93.02 lakh hectares. The data revealed that overall, the total area under coverage for all kharif crops has risen to 575.13 lakh hectares till July 15 of the current kharif sowing season. It was 521.25 lakh hectares in the same period last year.
India imports edible oils and pulses to meet domestic demands. Higher acreage of pulses and oilseed crops could lead to bumper output, weather permitting.
