Area under rice, other major crops exceeds last year's coverage

New Delhi, Aug 31 (UNI) The total coverage of kharif rice has gone up to 337 lakh hectare (ha) as compared to 334.18 lakh ha at this time last year.

The area coverage of kharif crops as compared to August 30 last year has gone up considerably as per data compiled by Agriculture Ministry.

The sowing of rice is at ending stage in the states of Gujarat, Haryana and Rajasthan. In rest of the states transplanting is at peak.

Total coarse cereals have covered an area of 207.42 lakh ha as compared to 195.87 lakh ha at this time last year.

Cotton has been sown in 90.2 lakh ha as compared to 86.14 lakh ha last year. Out of this, 53.33 lakh hectare is under Bt cotton.

Sugarcane coverage is reported to be 51.04 lakh hectare compared to 48.32 lakh ha last year and jute 7.89 lakh hectare (last year 8.18 lakh ha).

The total coverage of oilseeds so far has been 170.15 lakh ha as compared to 156.42 lakh ha on August 30, last year. Soyabean has been sown in nine per cent and groundnut in 14 per cent higher area as compared to that in 2006.

Pulses cover an area of 115.3 lakh ha against 108.3 lakh ha up to this time last year.

UNI