Rice sowing declines by 38 per cent to 21.91 lakh hectares so far

NEW DELHI: Paddy acreage has declined by 38 per cent to 21.91 lakh hectares this year so far as area under the main kharif (summer) crop has come down sharply in Punjab and Chhasttisgarh.

Sowing of kharif crops begins with the onset of southwest monsoon in June, while the harvesting starts from October.

Last season at this time, area under paddy was 35.44 lakh hectares.

Maximum decline in area under paddy is witnessed in Punjab, where as on date the main kharif crop has been planted in 9.15 lakh hectares as compared to 14.30 lakh hectares last season.

It is followed by Chattisgarh, where acreage under paddy has come down to 0.41 lakh hectares from 5.30 lakh hectares last season.

Besides Mizoram where there was marginal increase in the area under paddy, all other states have reported decrease in the paddy acreage this season so far.

The overall area under kharif crops has decreased by 53 per cent to 131.52 lakh hectares from 200.96 lakh hectares.

Area under oilseeds has also fallen to 4.79 lakh hectares from 9.01 lakh hectares last season, similarly pulses acreage has declined to 4.30 lakh hectares from 13.62 lakh hectares.

The planting of commercial crops is also in progress. So far Sugarcane has been planted in 43.92 lakh hectares marginally lesser than 45.20 lakh hectares last season whereas area under cotton has come down sharply to 29.07 lakh hectares from 55.77 lakh hectares.

According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), the country has received 43.4 mm of rainfall as compared to normal rain of 78.8 mm from June 1 to June 17.

However, the condition is expected to improve in July and August.

Amid chances of subnormal monsoon this year, as projected by the IMD, the ministry has advised state governments to be ready with contingency plans to minimise impact of erratic rains.

It is also working on certain relief measures such as providing subsidy to buy seeds for resowing and on diesel for irrigation to protect the standing crops.