Kharif sowing covers 93% area, rainfall deficit down to 13%
Sowing of crops has been completed in 98.6 million hectare, marginally lower than the 102 million hectare sown by this time last year
New Delhi: With steady showers covering most parts of the country, sowing of Kharif crops is nearing the seasonal acreage. Sowing of crops has been completed in 98.6 million hectare (ha), farm ministry data showed on Friday, marginally lower than the 102 million ha sown by this time last year. Normal sowing area for Kharif, the country’s main agricultural season which is monsoon-dependent, is 105.9 million ha.
Rice has been sown in 36 million ha, lower than last year’s acreage of 36.4 million ha. The area under cotton, at 12.4 million ha, shows an increase of 9.4% compared with last year. However, the area sown under coarse cereals, oilseeds and pulses shows a dip of 9.1%, 8.2% and 6.2%, respectively. On 5 September, monsoon deficit for the country narrowed down to 13% of the average. June had recorded a deficit of 43%, leading to delayed sowing of Kharif crops.
As many as 12 of the 36 meteorological sub-divisions in the country are experiencing monsoon deficit of 20% to 59%, while one sub-division covering Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi recorded scanty rainfall with a seasonal deficit of 60%. On 2 September, Haryana declared a drought and announced a survey to assess the damage. It sought a central assistance of Rs4,830 crore. Last month the central government had announced several measures like diesel subsidy for irrigation, seed subsidy for re-sowing, and special assistance for horticulture and fodder crops.
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