Area under major crops more than last year, except sugarcane

New Delhi, July 20 (UNI) The area coverage of kharif crops has gone up considerably compared to July 19 last week, while area under sugarcane is lower by about four lakh hectare, as per data compiled by the Agriculture Ministry.

The total coverage of kharif rice has gone up to 116.8 lakh hectare compared to 115.4 lakh hectare at this time last year, the weekly Crop Weather Watch Group meeting of the Ministry of Agriculture informed here today.

Transplanting of rice is in progress in almost all the states while sowing is at its peak in Punjab.

Total coarse cereals have covered an area of 144.1 lakh hectare compared to 136.7 lakh hectare at this time last year.

Cotton has been sown in 72.3 lakh hectare compared to 64.2 lakh hectare last year. Out of this, 24.37 lakh hectare is under Bt cotton.

Sugarcane coverage is reported to be 44.37 lakh hectare compared to 48.13 lakh hectare last year and jute 7.89 lakh hectare (last year 8.18 lakh hectare).

The total coverage of oilseeds so far has been 121.6 lakh hectare compared to 117.4 lakh hectare on July 19 last year. Soybean and groundnut have been sown in six per cent higher area as compared to the same day last year.

UNI