Kharif Sowing Completes on 9.7989 Million Hectares

• As of August 9, kharif crops, excluding paddy, have been sown on 9.7989 million hectares, representing a 1.4% increase from 9.664 million hectares a year ago. Its according to the latest data from the Agriculture Ministry.
• The normal area for kharif crops, based on the last five years' average, is 10.9584 million hectares.
• The sowing of paddy, the key cereal crop, has seen a significant rise, covering 3.3178 million hectares, which is 4.3% higher than the 3.1816 million hectares recorded last year.
• Nearly 83% of the normal area for paddy has been sown by August 9.

Paddy Acreage Sees a Notable Increase

Experts consider the timely sowing of paddy a positive indicator for a normal yield, provided other factors remain favorable in the coming months. In West Bengal, the leading paddy-producing state, sowing continues until September. Due to specific climatic conditions, while in other states, it typically concludes by mid-August. The normal area under paddy for the kharif season is 4.0155 million hectares.

Arhar and Moong Acreage Expand Amid Higher Market Prices

• The area under arhar (pigeon pea) has expanded to 0.4457 million hectares, marking a 16% increase from 0.3849 million hectares last year, driven by higher market prices.
• Moong (green gram) acreage has also risen by 10%, reaching 0.3278 million hectares compared to 0.2989 million hectares previously.
• However, the area under urad (black gram) has decreased by 4%, now at 0.2776 million hectares compared to 0.2883 million hectares.
• Overall, the total pulses acreage has increased by 7%, now covering 1.1743 million hectares compared to 1.1008 million hectares last year.

Mixed Trends in Maize and Nutri-Cereals

Maize acreage has consistently remained high throughout the season.

• Surging to 0.8517 million hectares, an 8% increase from 0.7917 million hectares.
• The total area under nutri-cereals (Shree Anna) and maize has risen by 1%, now at 1.7313 million hectares, up from 1.7136 million hectares last year.
• However, the area under bajra (pearl millet) has decreased to 0.6569 million hectares from 0.6881 million hectares, while jowar coverage has increased to 0.1423 million hectares from 0.1329 million hectares.
• The area under ragi has declined to 0.0361 million hectares from 0.0591 million hectares, while small millets have seen a slight increase to 0.0444 million hectares from 0.0418 million hectares.

Oilseeds and Cotton Acreage Show Varying Trends

Cotton acreage has decreased by 9%, now at 1.1049 million hectares compared to 1.2124 million hectares last year, with 85% of the normal area covered.

• Sugarcane coverage is nearly complete, reaching 0.5768 million hectares, slightly up from 0.5711 million hectares last year, representing 113% of the normal area.
• Soyabean coverage has exceeded its normal area of 1.23 million hectares, reaching 1.2469 million hectares, a 2% increase from 1.2289 million hectares last year.
• The overall oilseeds acreage has grown by 1%, now at 1.8369 million hectares compared to 1.8217 million hectares last year.
• Groundnut coverage has also gained momentum, with an 8% increase to 0.4542 million hectares from 0.4191 million hectares last year.

The timely completion of kharif sowing and the increase in paddy acreage signal a positive outlook for India’s agricultural sector. While some crops have seen declines in acreage. Others, like pulses and oilseeds, have expanded, potentially leading to a strong harvest season.