Kharif Crop Coverage Soars with Boost from Monsoon Rains

The area under paddy cultivation for the current kharif season has surged by 21%, reaching 115.64 lakh hectares, owing to favorable monsoon rains. The Agriculture Department's latest data reveals significant increases in other crops like pulses and oilseeds, auguring well for a potentially bumper harvest.

The area under coverage for paddy so far in the ongoing kharif season rose 21% to 115.64 lakh hectares, thanks to better monsoon rains, according to agriculture ministry data. Paddy sowing was 95.78 lakh hectares till July 15 last year, making paddy a key kharif crop.

On Monday, the Department of Agriculture released the progress of area coverage under kharif crops as of July 15, 2024. The acreage of pulses has increased to 62.32 lakh hectares from last season's 49.50 lakh hectares. Among pulses, the area under arhar surged to 28.14 lakh hectares from 9.66 lakh hectares.

However, the sowing area for coarse cereals decreased to 97.64 lakh hectares from 104.99 lakh hectares a year ago. In the non-food category, the area for oilseeds is higher at 140.43 lakh hectares compared to 115.08 lakh hectares last year. Soyabean acreage rose significantly to 108.10 lakh hectares from 82.44 lakh hectares.

Cotton acreage marginally increased to 95.79 lakh hectares from 93.02 lakh hectares. The total area under coverage for all kharif crops has risen to 575.13 lakh hectares till July 15 of this year, compared to 521.25 lakh hectares in the same period last year. India, which imports edible oils and pulses to meet domestic demand, could see a bumper output if weather conditions remain favorable until harvest.

(With inputs from agencies.)