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NEW DELHI: Sowing season of rabi crops on Friday ended recording marginally higher overall acreage compared to previous year, but sown area under pulses remained a worry as it reported a decline of 6 lakh hectares (3.6%) over last year.
The overall acreage of rabi crops at 709 lakh hectares this year is also higher than normal acreage (average of last five years) of the season, giving a hope of record output of foodgrains during 2023-24.
Higher than normal acreage of the season (648 lakh hectares) and even marginally crossing the last year’s acreage figure indicated gradual drought-proofing of the country as the farmers could manage to recover initial loss with the help of groundwater and minor irrigation facilities primarily in the wheat-sown areas.
Farmers had to depend on irrigation during rabi sowing as the monsoon rainfall was ‘below normal’ in 2023. Less rainfall during the monsoon means inadequate soil moisture and less water in reservoirs —- two key elements for sowing operations during the winter season.
Final acreage figures, released by agriculture ministry on Friday, show that acreages of all major rabi crops — wheat (341 lakh hectares), oilseeds (111 lakh hectares) and coarse cereals (57 lakh hectares) — except pulses (160 lakh hectares) reported higher sown area this season compared to previous year. Among pulses, mainly grams reported a significant decline.
The overall acreage of rabi crops at 709 lakh hectares this year is also higher than normal acreage (average of last five years) of the season, giving a hope of record output of foodgrains during 2023-24.
Higher than normal acreage of the season (648 lakh hectares) and even marginally crossing the last year’s acreage figure indicated gradual drought-proofing of the country as the farmers could manage to recover initial loss with the help of groundwater and minor irrigation facilities primarily in the wheat-sown areas.
Farmers had to depend on irrigation during rabi sowing as the monsoon rainfall was ‘below normal’ in 2023. Less rainfall during the monsoon means inadequate soil moisture and less water in reservoirs —- two key elements for sowing operations during the winter season.
Final acreage figures, released by agriculture ministry on Friday, show that acreages of all major rabi crops — wheat (341 lakh hectares), oilseeds (111 lakh hectares) and coarse cereals (57 lakh hectares) — except pulses (160 lakh hectares) reported higher sown area this season compared to previous year. Among pulses, mainly grams reported a significant decline.
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