New Delhi: Crop planting this Kharif season has so far covered 6% more area than that last year, with monsoon rains boosting farmer sentiment, the agriculture ministry said on Friday.
The total sown area as on June 16, as per reports received from states, stands at 92.85 lakh hectare against 87.59 lakh hectare at this time last year, the ministry said in a release.
Cotton has recorded the biggest expansion in acreage so far at 36%, followed by coarse cereals at 10%.
Rice planting fell almost 2% to 9.22 lakh hectare while pulses shrank 39% to cover 2.22 lakh hectare. Oilseeds saw a decrease in acreage by 29% at 1.88 lakh hectare.
Sugarcane area saw a marginal increase of 6% with planting on 47.52 lakh hectare.
Meanwhile, monsoon data showed rains were 10% above normal since June 1. This has ensured that India’s 91 major reservoirs held 26% more water than at this time last year, suggesting better water availability for crops after the monsoon ends.
At 30.903 billion cubic metres, these dams also hold 7% more water compared with the 10-year average.
Total area to be planted this Kharif season is 1,061.50 lakh hectares.
The total sown area as on June 16, as per reports received from states, stands at 92.85 lakh hectare against 87.59 lakh hectare at this time last year, the ministry said in a release.
Cotton has recorded the biggest expansion in acreage so far at 36%, followed by coarse cereals at 10%.
Rice planting fell almost 2% to 9.22 lakh hectare while pulses shrank 39% to cover 2.22 lakh hectare. Oilseeds saw a decrease in acreage by 29% at 1.88 lakh hectare.
Sugarcane area saw a marginal increase of 6% with planting on 47.52 lakh hectare.
Meanwhile, monsoon data showed rains were 10% above normal since June 1. This has ensured that India’s 91 major reservoirs held 26% more water than at this time last year, suggesting better water availability for crops after the monsoon ends.
At 30.903 billion cubic metres, these dams also hold 7% more water compared with the 10-year average.
Total area to be planted this Kharif season is 1,061.50 lakh hectares.