Mustard sowing lagged

10-Dec-2024 08:34 AM

Mustard sowing lagged
The mustard sowing for the current year has been slower compared to last year, with only 81 lakh hectares sown until last week, down from 84.7 lakh hectares during the same period last year, according to government data. This delay is attributed to several factors:
Prioritization of wheat: In areas where both wheat and mustard are sown, wheat was given priority, likely due to its higher prices and the favorable climate for its sowing.
High temperatures during mustard sowing: The increased temperatures may have affected mustard planting, making it less ideal.
Gram prices: The strong prices of the second Rabi crop, gram, led farmers in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh to focus on gram sowing instead of mustard.
Other crops: Sowing of linseed and groundnut has also been weaker compared to last year, further compounding the reduced mustard sowing.
This trend reflects a shift in crop preferences, possibly influenced by market conditions and climatic factors.