Remarkable Increase in Crop Acreage This Season

India's summer crop coverage has increased by 7.5%, totaling 7.18 million hectares as of Friday. This represents a significant increase of 0.5 million hectares above the average of the past five years. This season, the area under summer crops is 7.5% larger than last year's 6.68 million hectares.

Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and Gujarat are the key growers of summer pulses this season.

Paddy and Pulses Show Promising Growth

Summer paddy sowing rose to 3.03 million hectares by May 3, marking a 10% increase from the previous year. Summer pulses acreage also increased by 4.3% to 1.996 million hectares, driven by greater moong cultivation this year. Despite the overall growth, urad coverage slightly dropped to 0.319 million hectares from 0.324 million.

Oilseeds and Nutri-Cereals Experience Growth

Oilseed planting increased by 4%, reaching 0.96 million hectares with groundnut and sesamum showing notable improvements. Groundnut planting rose to 0.47 million hectares and sesamum to 0.489 million hectares, both experiencing growth from last year's 0.463 million hectares.

Mixed Rainfall Patterns Affect Crop Prospects

While Central India received 71% more precipitation than its long-term average, the south peninsula faced a 70% rainfall deficit. Eastern and north-eastern India also experienced 28% less precipitation than average, which may impact crop yields differently across regions.