Govt says farmers sow on 274.4 mln ha

New Delhi, Jan 18 (UNI) Wheat sowing remained down at 274.4 lakh hectares (ha) as compared to 280.26 lakh ha on the same date last year, according to the data compiled by Agriculture Ministry said today.

Sowing is progressing well in the present rabi season, the data said.

As for the rice, 8.54 lakh ha area has come under winter rice as against 9.05 lakh ha last year.

Coarse cereals have been sown in 65.36 lakh ha as compared to 64.22 lakh ha by this time in 2007. Barley and maize have been grown in more area than last year's (barley 7.25 lakh ha, maize 8.96 lakh ha).

Rabi oilseeds have been sown in 85.51 lakh ha as compared to 94.95 lakh ha in the last rabi. Mustard/rapeseed coverage has reached 58.84 lakh ha (last rabi, up to this time: 66.53 lakh ha).

Rabi pulses cover 129.8 lakh ha (last year: 136.58 lakh ha).

Gram coverage has reached 79.07 lakh ha (vs. 82.46 lakh ha by this time last year).

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