Sowing of winter crops starts in many states

New Delhi, Nov 2 (UNI) Sowing of winter crops has begun at fast pace in karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab and Maharashtra with current Rabi season sowing covering 1.84 lakh hectares (ha) as compared to 1.17 lakh ha during the corresponding period last year.

Winter rice sowing has also started in some southern states in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka with planting covering around 18,000 ha area, an official release said here today .

As per early reports received from states the area coverage under jowar is 30.62 lakh ha against 33.41 lakh ha during last year, barley 0.06 lakh ha against 0.20 lakh ha last year, maize 1.20 lakh ha against 1.32 lakh ha last year and total coarse cereals 32.27 lakh ha against 35.50 lakh ha during the corresponding period of last year.

UNI