Wheat acreage crosses 274 Lakh Hectare mark

New Delhi, Jan 28 (UNI) The area covered under wheat cultivation in the country has crossed the 274 Lakh Hectare (Ha) mark as against 280.63 Lakh Ha for the same period last year, as per the data released by Agriculture Ministry here today.

The report stated that the sowing is progressing well in the present Rabi season.

As per the data 15.84 lakh Ha area has come under winter rice as against 15.98 lakh Ha last year.

Coarse cereals have been sown in 67.03 lakh Ha as compared to 69.21 lakh ha by this time in 2007. Barley and maize have been cultivated in more area than last year's {barley 7.56 lakh ha, maize 10.31 lakh ha.

According to the data Rabi oilseeds have been sown in 86.69 lakh Ha as compared to 96.1 lakh Ha in the last Rabi. Mustard/rapeseed coverage has reached 58.96 lakh Ha (last Rabi, up to this time: 66.63 lakh Ha).

Rabi pulses cover 130.7 lakh Ha as against 137.65 lakh Ha for the same period last year. Gram coverage has reached 79.31 lakh ha (vs.

83.08 lakh ha by this time last year), the report added.

UNI/BKS KP1805