Sowing of Rabi crops crosses 564 lakh hectare

The sowing of Rabi crops has been very brisk in the last one week, as per preliminary reports received on the sowing of crops from different states. The total rabi sown area during the week ending December 27, 2013 stands at 564.18 lakh hectare as compared to 544.20 lakh hectare at this time last year. Wheat, gram and mustard have been sown in more area than the average area for the entire season.

Total Pulses have been sown in 138.08 lakh hectare so far in the current Rabi season as compared to 133.04 lakh hectare sown in 2012-13 season. Besides, oilseeds have been sown in 81.42 lakh hectare as compared to 77.72 lakh hectare last year.

Further, wheat has been sown in 286.90 lakh hectare so far compared to 272.79 lakh hectare last year while coarse cereals has been sown in 54.90 lakh hectare so far compared to 56.22 lakh hectare sown last year. Rabi rice has been sown in 2.88 lakh hectare.