Ravi cultivation at a record level with an area of ​​675 lakh hectares

Mumbai, Ta. 22 January 2021, Friday

For the first time in the country after independence, the area under rabi cultivation has seen a record of 3 lakh hectares. This year's figure is 4.5 per cent higher than last year's rabi sowing, Agriculture Ministry sources said. Given the high number of rabi plantings, the country's grain production is expected to be record again this year.

The sowing of major rabi crop wheat has also increased by 2.15 per cent as compared to last year. Farmers are harvesting more wheat in anticipation of higher purchases at support prices due to the government's food security norms in the country. Wheat has been planted in an area of ​​3 lakh hectares. Which is all time high. In the last season alone, the area was 3 lakh hectares.

Wheat sowing is expected to remain high as rabi sowing is almost completed by the end of January.

According to the latest figures, pulses accounted for 2.50 per cent and oilseeds for 2.4 per cent. According to the Agriculture Ministry, the sowing of rye has increased by 7.5 per cent over the same period last year.

States like Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand are witnessing high cultivation. Given the high planting estimate of pulses, the country will have to reduce its pulses imports in the current year.

In the current year, the government has estimated a total production of 300 million tonnes of foodgrains, of which 171.12 million tonnes is rabi. In the year 2020, the southwest monsoon in the country was good for the second consecutive year due to which the situation has remained favorable for rabi sowing after kharif.

The water levels in the country's reservoirs are also adequate and the weather is also supporting crop growth, the sources added.