Kharif acreage up 9.31% at 966 lakh hectares

Kharif crops have been sown in 966.40 lakh hectares (ha) in the country area as of yesterday, 9.31 per cent more than the 884.09 lakh ha achieved upto this date last year, an official statement said.

The statement said the sowing of all major crops this year was more than that in the last Kharif, quoting data received from the States.

It said paddy had been sown in 318.75 lakh ha as compared to 298.94 lakh ha on this date last year, showing an increase of 19.81 lakh ha over the same period.

Pulses have been sown in 109.52 lakh ha so far which is 19.29 lakh ha more than at this time last season.

Coarse cereals have been sown in 207.36 lakh ha, 22.86 lakh ha more as compared to last year.

The acreage for oilseeds was 169.41 lakh ha as of yesterday (163.61 lakh ha at this time last year), sugarcane 47.68 lakh ha (41.79 lakh ha), jute 7.58 lakh ha (6.92 lakh ha) and cotton 106.14 lakh ha (97.7 lakh ha), the statement added.

NNN