Due to weak sowing of barley, the area of ​​coarse grains is behind last year.

17-Dec-2024 12:12 PM

In the current Rabi season, sowing of coarse grains has been slower than last year, primarily due to weak sowing of barley, along with a decline in the sowing of jowar and bajra.

As of December 16, the total sowing area for coarse grains stands at 38.75 lakh hectares, which is 1.70 lakh hectares less than the 40.45 lakh hectares sown during the same period last year.

Barley has seen the most significant reduction, with a decrease of 1.62 lakh hectares, from 7.81 lakh hectares last year to 6.19 lakh hectares this year.

The area sown with jowar has also fallen by 23 thousand hectares, from 19.98 lakh hectares to 19.75 lakh hectares, and bajra's area has dropped by 14 thousand hectares, falling from 14 thousand hectares last year to just 11 thousand hectares.

On a positive note, maize sowing has seen a slight improvement, with its area rising from 12.04 lakh hectares to 12.10 lakh hectares.

Additionally, small millets have been sown in 14 thousand hectares this year, whereas sowing of this crop had not even begun at this time last year.

Rajasthan has seen an increase in the sowing area of barley, which is up by 20 thousand hectares (5%) from its target of 3.80 lakh hectares to 4 lakh hectares.

However, sowing of barley in other states has been lagging behind. Despite expectations for a strong demand and high prices, the anticipated increase in maize production area is yet to materialize. However, there are still hopes for future growth in maize sowing due to these factors.