Despite better sowing, there is doubt over a substantial increase in the production of Kharif crops

04-Oct-2024 05:05 PM

New Delhi. The latest data from the Union Food and Agriculture Ministry shows that during the current year, the total production area of ​​Kharif crops has increased to a high of 1108.57 lakh hectares, which is about 2 percent more than last year's sowing area of ​​1088.25 lakh hectares.

This area is also about 12.50 lakh hectares more than the normal average area of ​​1096 lakh hectares of the last five years.

During the current Kharif season, compared to last year, the area under paddy, pulses, oilseeds and coarse grains has increased and the area under sugarcane has also increased, but the sowing area under cotton has decreased considerably.

Kharif crops generally benefited from abundant rains of the southwest monsoon, but there have also been reports of damage to crops due to excessive rainfall and severe floods in many areas.

More than one and a half dozen districts of Bihar are badly trapped in the grip of devastating floods for the last 10-12 days.

Earlier, Kharif crops were damaged due to torrential rains, floods and waterlogging in the fields in many districts of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Rajasthan.

This shows that there may be a decrease in production there, which will also affect the production figures at the national level.

Among pulses, urad and moong crops have been affected in many areas. Similarly, among oilseed crops, soybean and sesame crops are reported to be damaged.

At some places, paddy and coarse-grain crops have also been damaged. The harvesting and preparation season of Kharif crops has begun and the actual picture of production is expected to be clear by December.