Rabi crop planting up 14 per cent in one week

NEW DELHI: Winter crop planting increased by 14 per cent in the last one week, according to data from the agriculture ministry. Till Friday, rabi crop planting was completed on 472.43 lakh hectares, compared with 415.53 lakh hectares at end of the previous week. Acreage under rabi crop is 8 per cent more than a year ago (438.90 lakh hectares).

The government expects crop planting to continue, with the weather remaining favourable and support prices for various crops being attractive. It has set a rabi-season crop planting target of 638.37 lakh hectares.

The area under pulses, oilseeds and wheat increased from a year earlier while that under coarse cereals and rice fell. Levels in key reservoirs are also higher than a year ago, according to Central Water Commission, which monitors 91 major reservoirs. The reservoirs collectively held 102.884 billion cubic metres of water, 26 per cent more than a year ago, suggesting better availability of water for winter crops. Water level, however, was 2 per cent less than the 10-year average.

Wheat planting has fallen in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Gujarat, but increased in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Punjab, the ministry said. Planting increased largely in gram (chana), lentil (masoor) and field pea (lobia) pulses, while that in kulthi, urad bean and moong bean fell.