Rabi sowing in coarse cereals and key pulses trail but coverage of other crops is progressing at a faster clip, according to the Ministry of Agriculture.
Data released by the Ministry on Friday showed that as on December 6, only 45.45 lakh hectares (lh) have been covered under coarse cereals, mainly maize, jowar and barley, against 48.14 lh during the corresponding period a year ago.
A drop in prices and record kharif maize (corn) crop besides projections of a global surplus seem to be dissuading farmers from opting for coarse cereals.
Currently, maize is quoted at Rs 1,440 a quintal in Delhi against Rs 1,520 during the same time last year.
In growing areas, prices are lower than the minimum support price resulting in farmers’ reluctance to grow the coarse cereal.
Similarly, barley is quoted at Rs 1,374 a quintal against Rs 1,403 last year.
Also, the Centre has kept its minimum support price unchanged at Rs 980 this year.
As a result, the area under maize and barely has dropped by at least one lh each.
In the case of jowar, there has virtually been no improvement in prices over the last one year.
Shift from chana Though the coverage of pulses is higher at 114.87 lh against 102.49 lh, it is mainly because of a rise in chana (gram) sowing.
The acreage under lentil is also higher but sowing of peas, urad, moong, lathyrus and other pulses is lower.
Lower prices for pulses last year is one of the main reasons for the slip in acreage.
This year, too, prices are seen ruling stable, ruling out prospects of farmers getting a higher price.
Though chana coverage is higher, it could also drop when final figures come in since its prices have dropped below the minimum support price of Rs 3,000 a quintal. Currently, it is ruling around Rs 2,850 on ample supplies. In Madhya Pradesh, farmers are shifting from chana to wheat or other cash crops, expecting to earn more.
Rice, wheat The area under rabi paddy, which makes up only 10 per cent of the total rice production in the country during the crop year, has begun to gather momentum with the weather in South India improving.
So far, 1.28 lh have been covered compared with 1.15 lh last year.
Wheat sowing is in full swing, particularly in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.
The coverage has increased by over 15 per cent this year to 214.07 lh (183.42 lh). In fact, wheat coverage makes up over 45 per cent of the total area of 450.42 lh under rabi crops this year.
Mustard gains Thanks to improved soil moisture and rains in October, sowing in mustard/rapeseed is almost drawing to an early conclusion. Already, the coverage is higher than the normal area under the crop, which makes up nearly 90 per cent of rabi oilseeds output.
Water factor A higher storage level in the 85 major reservoirs in the country has come in handy for higher coverage of rabi crops.
Excess rain under the influence of the North-East Monsoon has also aided in better acreage.
According to India Meteorological Department, rainfall during the North-East Monsoon from October 1 has been 29 per cent excess.
However, it has been deficient in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, central Maharashtra and Himachal Pradesh.