Area under major Kharif crops exceeds last year's coverage

New Delhi, Sep 28 (UNI) The total coverage of kharif rice has gone up to 365.92 lakh ha as compared to 364.22 lakh hectare last year, the weekly Crop Weather Watch Group meeting of the Ministry of Agriculture was informed here today.

Transplanting is at ending stage in almost all the states except Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Orissa and Tamil Nadu where transplanting is at peak.

The area coverage of kharif crops as compared to September 28 last year has gone up as per data compiled by Agriculture Ministry.

The sowing of various coarse cereals has ended in almost all states.

The area coverage under jowar, so far, is 34.40 lakh ha against 36.66 lakh ha during last year, under bajra 83.24 lakh ha against 91.82 lakh ha last year, maize 76.78 lakh ha against 72.45 lakh ha last year and total coarse cereals 216.09 lakh ha against 221.01 lakh ha during the corresponding period of last year.

The area covered under cotton so far is 90.94 lakh ha against 87.48 lakh ha during the corresponding period of last year.

Out of this 53.32 lakh ha is under Bt Cotton.

The total coveage under sugarcane has been reported at 51.04 lakh hectare against 48.32 lakh ha during the corresponding period last year.

The coverage under jute has been reported at 8.29 lakh ha against 8.18 lakh ha during the corresponding period of last year.

Mesta has been sown in 1.47 lakh ha against 1.53 lakh ha during the corresponding period of last year.

The total coverage of oilseeds so far has been 175.99 lakh ha as compared to 163.55 lakh ha on September 27, last year.

Soyabean has been sown at 8 per cent and groundnut 14 per cent higher area as compared to that in 2006.

Pulses cover an area of 124.79 lakh ha against 112.41 lakh ha up to this time last year.

UNI