Area under rabi crop falls by 5.4%

NEW DELHI: The sown area under rabi or winter crops has fallen by 2.86 million hectare in the current fiscal, according to data released by the agriculture ministry.

Winter crops were planted in an area spanning 49.66 million hectare until December 18, compared with 52.52 million hectare at the same time last fiscal year.

The data shows the area under wheat, oilseeds and rice has fallen but it has increased marginally under pulses and coarse cereals.