During the current kharif sowing season, the paddy cultivation area has seen a notable increase of nearly 3 percent, reaching 411.52 lakh hectares, as per data from the Ministry of Agriculture. In contrast, the acreage dedicated to pulses has witnessed a 5 percent decrease.
In the same period last year, paddy cultivation occupied 400.72 lakh hectares, making this year’s expansion quite significant. The latest data reveals that the area allocated for pulses has contracted to 122.57 lakh hectares from 128.49 lakh hectares in the previous year.
The cultivation of coarse cereals has experienced a slight rise, reaching 186.07 lakh hectares compared to 183.73 lakh hectares previously. Oilseeds sowing has declined to 192.91 lakh hectares from 196.08 lakh hectares. Groundnut cultivation has decreased to 43.89 lakh hectares from 45.51 lakh hectares, while soybean acreage has risen to 125.59 lakh hectares from 124.77 lakh hectares.
AREA COVERAGE UNDER KHARIF CROPS
AS ON 22-SEP-2023 | (Area in Lakh Ha.)
| S.No. | Crops | Normal Area [DES] (Lakh Ha) | Area Sown (Lakh Ha) | Difference in Area Coverage Over | % of Increase (+)/ Decrease (-) Over | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | 2022 | 2022 | |||
| 1 | Rice | 0.00 | 411.52 | 400.72 | 10.80 | 2.70 |
| 2 | Total Pulses | 0.00 | 122.57 | 128.49 | -5.92 | -4.61 |
| (i) | Arhar | 0.00 | 43.69 | 46.06 | -2.37 | -5.14 |
| (ii) | Kulthi | 0.00 | 0.44 | 0.45 | -0.02 | -3.86 |
| (iii) | Urad | 0.00 | 32.79 | 33.31 | -0.52 | -1.57 |
| (iv) | Moong | 0.00 | 31.56 | 33.92 | -2.36 | -6.95 |
| (v) | Other Pulses | 0.00 | 14.09 | 14.75 | -0.65 | -4.41 |
| 3 | Total Coarse Cereals | 0.00 | 186.07 | 183.73 | 2.34 | 1.27 |
| (i) | Jowar | 0.00 | 14.29 | 15.72 | -1.44 | -9.15 |
| (ii) | Bajra | 0.00 | 70.94 | 70.58 | 0.37 | 0.52 |
| (iii) | Ragi | 0.00 | 10.50 | 10.39 | 0.11 | 1.05 |
| (iv) | Maize | 0.00 | 84.65 | 82.01 | 2.64 | 3.22 |
| (v) | Small Millets | 0.00 | 5.69 | 5.03 | 0.67 | 13.23 |
| 4 | Total Oilseeds | 0.00 | 192.91 | 196.08 | -3.17 | -1.62 |
| (i) | Groundnut | 0.00 | 43.89 | 45.51 | -1.62 | -3.57 |
| (ii) | Sunflower | 0.00 | 0.71 | 2.04 | -1.32 | -65.01 |
| (iii) | Sesamum | 0.00 | 12.33 | 13.32 | -0.99 | -7.46 |
| (iv) | Niger | 0.00 | 0.82 | 1.06 | -0.24 | -22.64 |
| (v) | Castor | 0.00 | 9.47 | 9.23 | 0.23 | 2.52 |
| (vi) | Soyabean | 0.00 | 125.59 | 124.77 | 0.81 | 0.65 |
| (vii) | Other Oilseeds | 0.00 | 0.11 | 0.14 | -0.03 | -23.08 |
| 5 | Sugarcane | 0.00 | 59.91 | 55.66 | 4.25 | 7.64 |
| 6 | Total Jute and Mesta | 0.00 | 6.59 | 6.98 | -0.39 | -5.56 |
| 7 | Cotton | 0.00 | 123.42 | 127.57 | -4.15 | -3.25 |
| Grand Total | 0.00 | 1103.00 | 1099.23 | 3.77 | 0.34 | |
The data further indicates a decrease in cotton cultivation, with the area falling to 123.42 lakh hectares from 127.57 lakh hectares. On the other hand, sugarcane cultivation has expanded, reaching 59.91 lakh hectares, compared to 55.66 lakh hectares in the same period last year.
Overall, the total acreage for the ongoing kharif season has increased to 1,102.99 lakh hectares from 1,099.23 lakh hectares. Harvesting of kharif crops is typically expected to commence at the beginning of October.
