Meanwhile, the maize crop is to be grown over 1.512 million acres to produce 9.254 million tonnes for the commodity during the period under review, whereas sugarcane 1.241million acres for producing about 7.667 million tonnes of the crop. According to the Annual Plan 2024-25, the cotton second major crop the country to be grown over 3.118 million acres, whereas the output of cotton output was set at 10.873 million bales during the crop season 2024-25. For minor crops, the area and production for gram for 2024-25 have been projected at 865.0 thousand hectares and 410.0 thousand tonnes, potato at 335.0 thousand hectares to produce 8,100.0 thousand tonnes and onion crop would be cultivated over 123.0 thousand hectares for producing 1,920.0 thousand tonnes of onions. The other minor crops including lentil cultivation was projected at 6.64 thousand hectares to achieve 4.56 thousand tonnes, for mung bean 214.8 thousand hectares and 178.8 thousand tonnes and for mash 11.05 thousand hectares and 8.60 thousand tones, respectively. The plan for 2024-25 will focus on improving crop productivity per unit area, addressing the country’s low productivity compared to the region.

Source: The Nation June 15, 2024 10:48 UTC