Wheat sown in 276.89 Lakh HA this year

New Delhi, Feb 8 (UNI)The Agriculture Ministry says sowing of wheat is over, covering 276.89 lakh hectares (ha) as compared to 282.14 lakh ha last year.

The area under winter rice cultivation has been estimated at 21.49 lakh ha area has come under winter rice as against 21.74 lakh ha last year.

Coarse cereals have been sown in 67.87 lakh ha as compared to 70.4 lakh ha by this time in 2007. Barley and maize have been grown in more area than last year's {barley 7.57 lakh ha, maize 10.35 lakh ha}.

Rabi oilseeds have been sown in 89.3 lakh ha as compared to 97.01 lakh ha in the last rabi. Mustard/rapeseed coverage has reached 59.81 lakh ha (last rabi, up to this time: 66.68 lakh ha).

Rabi pulses cover 133.28 lakh ha (last year: 138.99 lakh ha).

Gram coverage has reached 80.27 lakh ha (vs. 83.72 lakh ha by this time last year).

UNI JSS AK DB2005