Approximately 85% of Kharif Crop sowing has been done so far in India. As per the data released by the Union Ministry of Agriculture, as of August 1, Kharif crops had been sown on a total of 932.93 lakh hectares, compared to 887.97 lakh hectares during the same period last year-marking a rise of nearly 5%. Paddy, the primary Kharif crop, has been sown on 319.40 lakh hectares, which is 16.69% higher than last year’s 273.72 lakh hectares.
However, as per the data released, there has been a drop in the area under pulses. As of now, area under pulses stands at 101.22 lakh hectares, slightly down from 101.54 lakh hectares last year, down 0.31%. The area under coarse cereals has increased by 4.74% to 172.57 lakh hectares. Area under maize has recorded a notable 11.74% jump to 91.62 lakh hectares this year.
Area under oilseeds have also registered a decline from 178.14 lakh hectares last year to 171.03 lakh hectares this year-a drop of nearly 4%. Whereas area under sugarcane has increased by 2.94%, from 55.68 lakh hectares last year to 57.31 lakh hectares this year. The area under cotton has declined by 2.36%, now standing at 105.87 lakh hectares.