Kharif crop sowing area rises with heavy rainfall during the week

The total area sown Kharif crops has now grown more than the sowing done last year. With heavy rainfall during the last few weeks farmers have increased the sowing of crops.

The total sown area as on July 15, 2016 stands at 559.76 lakh hectare as compared to 548.38 lakh hectare at this time last year, as per reports received from various States.

Some of the main Kharif crops in which sowing has increased include rice, pulses, coarse cereals, oilseeds and sugarcane.

Rice has been sown/transplanted in 123.93 lakh hectares, pulses in 71.07 lakh hectares, coarse cereals in 105.98 lakh hectares, oilseeds in 130.12 lakh hectares, sugarcane in 45.78 lakh hectares and cotton in 75.41 lakh hectares.

The details of the area covered so far and that covered during this time last year are given below: