The area under paddy sowing has increased by 1.5 million hectares, but a reduction in the area for pulse crops could lead to higher prices in the market.
The Ministry of Agriculture has recently shared the latest data on Kharif crop sowing up . With the sowing of Kharif crops nearing completion, there are some notable changes in the figures. This week, the area dedicated to paddy, the major Kharif crop, has expanded by 1.5 million hectares. However, there’s been a 9% reduction in the area allocated for pulses crops. Additionally, sowing for oilseeds, jute, and cotton has also seen a decline. Conversely, the areas for coarse cereals and sugarcane have increased.
The data shows that paddy has been sown in 3.6079 million hectares so far, compared to 3.4579 million hectares at the same time last year. This increase is a positive sign, reflecting favorable weather conditions and farmers’ optimism about the crop’s profitability this season.
Despite the overall decrease in oilseed areas, soybean has seen a slight increase of 1%. Currently, soybean is sown in 1.2415 million hectares, up from 1.2339 million hectares last year. On the other hand, groundnut cultivation has dropped to 4.2777 million hectares from 4.448 million hectares. The sunflower area has also decreased significantly to 66,000 hectares, down from 185,000 hectares last year, likely due to fluctuating market prices and changing climatic conditions.
The most troubling news concerns pulses. The area sown with pulses has decreased to 1.1493 million hectares from 1.2652 million hectares last year. Specific reductions include urad (black gram), down to 301,900 hectares from 354,200 hectares, and tur (pigeon pea), which has fallen to 409,200 hectares from 437,200 hectares. Moong (green gram) has also seen a reduction, now sown in 303,900 hectares compared to 330,700 hectares last year. This decline in pulses cultivation is worrying for food security and the agricultural sector, as pulses are crucial for protein supply and play an important role in crop rotation systems.
Farmers may face difficulties with lower yields and rising prices, which could affect domestic consumption and export opportunities. To address these challenges, the government and agricultural agencies might need to implement support measures and incentives to stabilize production and prices, ensuring the agricultural economy remains robust and resilient.
