Kharif crop in 104 lakh hectare in MP

Bhopal, Sep 20(UNI) Despite many climatic fluctuations, kharif crop has been sown in over 104 lakh hectare area in Madhya Pradesh this year as compared to 98.32 lakh hectare last year.

The sowing area was less last year due to excessive rains and floods, official sources said.

Cent-percent kharif sowing was completed in Indore, Ujjain, Rewa and Gwalior divisions, while it was between 96 and 99 percent in Jabalpur, Bhopal and Sagar divisions, according to latest report of the Agriculture department.

Area under sesamum crop has registered considerable increase this year with its sowing in 2.69 lakh hectare exceeding the target.

A maximum of 45.51 lakh hectare was covered under kharif season by cotton. Paddy was sown in 16.08 lakh hectare, maize 9.96 lakh hectare, Urad, Moong and Kulthi in 7 lakh hectare, jowar in 5.57 lakh hectare, kodo, kutki and ramtil in 4.06 lakh hectare, Tuar in 3.82 lakh hectare, sesamum in 2.69 lakh hectare, groundnut in 2.21 lakh hectare and bajra in 1.91 lakh hectare.

The report said due to unfavouable weather conditions and other circumstances, various insects affected the crops in 5.82 lakh hectare. Of this, 4.82 lakh hectare has been treated and the process of treatment is continuing in remaining area.

The insects-affected areas fell in Indore, Dhar, Khargone, Khandwa, Ujjain, Mandsaur, Shajapur, Ashok Nagar, Sehore, Betul, Chhindwara, Sagar and Rajgarh districts.

After many years, Madhya Pradesh received satisfactory rainfall this season. Fifteen districts received excess rains and 19 district recorded normal rainfall, while it was below normal but not scanty in remaining 14 districts.

UNI SP 1136