Approximately 75% of kharif planting completed: Bumper crop expected

Mumbai, Dt. 25 July 2020, Saturday

The kharif planting area, which has received above-normal rainfall so far this year, is also witnessing a significant increase. Compared to July 8 last year, kharif sowing has been 18 per cent higher till this period of the current year. Growing kharif crops have also raised hopes of a bumper crop. Kharif sowing has been completed on an area of ​​4.5 lakh hectares in the current year as against 3.08 lakh hectares till July 8 last year.

There are also no special reports of pest infestations on standing crops at present. However, in the event of a bumper crop, it remains to be seen what compensation farmers will get in the open market. As a result of good progress of monsoon, sowing has been completed on 8% of the area under crops in the country.

Farmers are not particularly frustrated by the impact of corona, which provides them with good money for rabi crops, Agriculture Ministry sources said. The central government has also announced an increase in support prices for the current kharif season, which will be a relief for farmers.

As on July 7, rice cultivation in the country has increased by 12 per cent over last year. Paddy is the main kharif crop. Apart from rice, pulses have also increased by 2.4 per cent to 2.50 lakh hectares.

According to the Agriculture Ministry, the area under pulses like sorghum and maize has increased by 15 per cent to 16.12 lakh hectares. Oilseed cultivation is up 4.5 per cent.

Sugarcane cultivation in cash crops has increased from 21.04 lakh hectares in the same period last year to 21.5 lakh hectares in the current year.

Cotton sowing has increased by 2.50% to 112.05 lakh hectares.