Rice plantation has increased as compared to a week ago. So far, rice has been sown in 5.23 lakh hectares which was 3.53 lakh hectares last week, up by 1.70 lakh hectares. However, the sown area is less as compared to rice planting at same time last year which stood at 6.22 lakh hectares, mainly due to late sowing in Assam and Orissa. However, the rice planting has picked up in states like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
Besides, sugarcane has been planted in 42.09 lakh hectares as compared to 46.78 lakh hectares at this time last year. The less area is reported mainly in states of Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh.
Jute and mesta have been planted in 7.88 lakh hectares as compared to 7.95 lakh hectares last year. Cotton is reported to have been planted in 11.70 lakh hectares as compared to 11.76 lakh hectares at same time last year. The planting of oilseeds such as groundnut, sesamum and castor has started in states like Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Further, Oilseeds have been planted in 70 thousand hectares as compared to 89 thousand hectares at this time last year.
