The report highlights a slower pace of sowing for Rabi crops in Gujarat compared to last year, resulting in a decrease in the overall cultivation area. The total area under Rabi crops in the current season has declined by 3.63 lakh hectares, from 40.78 lakh hectares last year to 37.15 lakh hectares this year.

Several factors are contributing to this trend:

1. Delayed Harvesting of Kharif Crops: The delay in harvesting the Kharif crops has caused a late start to Rabi sowing.
2. Reduced Enthusiasm for Spice Crops: The area under spice crops has also dropped significantly, with cumin, coriander, isabgol, and fennel seeing sharp reductions in sown areas.

Key observations:

• Grain crops: The area for grain crops, which includes wheat and jowar, has decreased from 12.12 lakh hectares to 11.41 lakh hectares. Wheat cultivation dropped from 10.73 lakh hectares to 10.02 lakh hectares, and jowar fell from 20,000 hectares to 10,000 hectares.
• Oilseeds: The area for oilseeds, particularly mustard, has declined from 2.65 lakh hectares to 2.42 lakh hectares, with limited growth in other oilseeds.
• Sugarcane: The area under sugarcane has decreased from 1.63 lakh hectares to 1.43 lakh hectares.
• Pulses: On a positive note, the area for pulse crops, especially gram, has seen an increase. Gram cultivation rose from 5.65 lakh hectares to 6.72 lakh hectares, and other pulses from 43,000 hectares to 63,000 hectares.
• Spice Crops: Significant reductions were seen in cumin (from 5.30 lakh hectares to 3.77 lakh hectares), coriander (from 1.15 lakh hectares to 1.04 lakh hectares), isabgol (from 21,000 hectares to 16,000 hectares), and fennel (from 1.26 lakh hectares to 38,000 hectares).

Despite these challenges, sowing is still ongoing, particularly in spice crops, though the area under cumin and fennel remains behind last year's figures.