So far, farmers have planted 22.2 million hectares under different crops, nearly 19% higher than the 18.7 million hectares planted by this time last year. Sowing of kharif crops begins in June and continues through July as the monsoon progresses across the country. By this time of the year, the normal or five-year average of sowing area is 22 million hectares. While pulses have been sown in 1.9 million hectares, higher than the 1.3 million hectares last year, coarse grains have been planted in 3.8 million hectares, higher than the 3.5 million hectares last year. Planting of oilseeds such as soybean and groundnut stands at 2.6 million hectares so far, lower than the 2.8 million hectares planted by this time last year.

Source: Mint July 01, 2017 06:22 UTC