Rice has been planted in 2.4 lakh hectares so far this year as against 2.53 lakh hectares in the year-ago period. The sown area this week is less by 5.14% as compared to rice planting at this time last year due to late sowing in states of Assam and Orissa.
Sugarcane acreage has also declined to 40.74 lakh hectares so far as compared to 45.74 lakh hectares in the corresponding period last year. This drop can be attributed to lower area in Karnataka, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. Besides, cotton area is also lower so far at 7.13 lakh hectares as compared to 7.22 lakh hectares in the year-ago period.