First Rabi sowing data released

03-Dec-2024 08:39 AM

First Rabi sowing data released
The first Rabi sowing data for this season indicates both positive and negative trends, with an overall increase in total sowing, but challenges in the oilseed sector.

Key Highlights:
Overall Rabi Sowing:
The total sowing of Rabi crops has increased by 17% compared to last year. This reflects an optimistic outlook for the Rabi season despite challenges faced by some crops. However, 64% of the 720 districts in India received less than average rainfall between 1st October to 2nd December, as per IMD, which could affect crop yields in some areas.

Oilseed Sowing:
Mustard: The sowing of mustard has seen a decline. It decreased by about 4.15 lakh hectares, from 80 lakh hectares last year to 75.85 lakh hectares. This decrease is attributed to hot weather conditions and the lack of interest among farmers, partly due to rising input costs and lower profits.
Groundnut: Groundnut sowing also fell slightly by 14,000 hectares, totaling 1.97 lakh hectares. A bumper crop in the Kharif season, combined with low market prices, led to reduced interest in sowing groundnuts during the Rabi season.
Safflower & Sunflower: Sowing for both crops showed marginal increases, indicating some recovery or interest despite the overall downturn in oilseeds.
Linseed: Linseed sowing was reduced by about 5,000 hectares, from 1.93 lakh hectares last year to 1.88 lakh hectares.
Total Oilseeds Sowing: The overall sowing of oilseeds decreased by 4.3 lakh hectares, totaling 80.55 lakh hectares this year, which is lower than both last year and the five-year average.
Summary:
Increase in total Rabi sowing by 17%, but challenges remain due to erratic weather patterns, especially for oilseeds.
Oilseed sector struggling due to lower farmer interest, especially in mustard and groundnut, combined with unfavorable market conditions.