Sowing of pulses has seen a jump of 35 per cent to 13.6 million hectares so far, in the ongoing kharif season on good rains and higher market price. The pulses acreage this year is not only the highest in the last five years, but also among the best in recent times. If weather remains good, pulses production this year could reach 20 mn tonnes, which would be highest ever and also help in
considerably cutting down on imports. “The total sown area (of all crops) as on August 19, stands at 99.27 mn hectares as compared to 93.85 mn hectares at this time last year," an official statement said. Paddy has been sown in 34.63 million hectares this kharif season so far, against 33.42 million hectares in the previous season, it said. Area under coverage for coarse cereals stood at 18 million hectares up from 16.8 million hectares last year, it added. Oilseeds sown area has also gone up to 17.5 million hectares from 16.8 million hectares. India produced around 252 mt of foodgrains in each of the past two crop years (2015-16 and 2014-15) due to two consecutive drought years. On hopes of better rains this year, the government is targeting a record production of 270 mt in 2016-17 crop year.
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