Planting of key kharif crops such as rice, sugarcane and cotton has begun on a sluggish note this year, with total acreage standing at 58 lakh hectares, lower than the corresponding last year’s 62.9 lakh ha.

Farmers have planted rice in 2.40 lakh ha, marginally lower than 2.53 lakh ha last year.

Drought conditions

The lower rice area is reported mainly in Assam and Orissa, according to an official statement.

Sugarcane has been planted in 40.7 lakh ha against 45.7 lakh ha last year.

Lower acreage has been reported in Karnataka, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu where poor water availability has hit the planting this year.

In Maharashtra, sugarcane has been planted in 5.11 lakh ha, a 45 per cent decline over the corresponding last year’s 9.37 lakh ha.

The decline has been attributed to the prevailing drought conditions in the State.

In Karnataka, the decline is marginal as the acreage stands at 3.27 lakh ha against last year’s 3.65 lakh ha.

Fibre crops

In Uttar Pradesh, too, the cane area has seen a marginal decline at 19.35 lakh ha against last year’s 19.54 lakh ha.

However, the fibre crops - jute and mesta - have seen an increase in acreage at 7.75 lakh ha against 7.42 lakh ha, mainly due to higher planting in West Bengal, Bihar and Assam.

But cotton acreage has seen a marginal decline at 7.13 lakh ha against 7.22 lakh ha.

Punjab higher acreage

Cotton planting has mainly commenced in northern states and farmers in Punjab have planted an area of 4.8 lakh ha, higher than last year’s 3.91 lakh ha.

In Haryana, the acreage is lower at 1.50 lakh ha against last year’s 2.44 lakh ha.

vishwanath.kulkarni@thehindu.co.in

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