Rice sowing increases to 96.79 lakh hectare

Sowing of different crop has picked up pace and Rice has been sown in 96.79 lakh hectare so far, as per the preliminary data received from the Ministry of Agriculture, as compared to 55.4 lakh ha a week back. Besides, sugarcane has been planted in 52.85 lakh hectare while cotton has been planted in 65.22 lakh hectare.

Similarly, coarse cereals and oilseeds have been planted in 39.76 lakh hectare and 67.70 lakh hectare respectively, while jute and mesta has been planted in 8.18 lakh hectare. Separately, pulses have been sown in 20.54 lakh hectare.

Sugarcane and cotton have been sown in more area than than what was covered by these crops this time last year. Though sowing of other major crops is behind last year, sowing has picked up fast as compared to the last week.

On July 06, 2012, the Agriculture Ministry had reported progress in sowing of Kharif crops whereby rice was sown in 55.40 lakh hectare while sugarcane was planted in 52.78 lakh hectare.