The Hindu : National : Decline in sowing area for rabi crops

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Sunday, Feb 17, 2008
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Decline in sowing area for rabi crops

Special Correspondent

Diversification to cash crops and ‘water stress’ are major reasons

NEW DELHI: Amid reports of a “tight supply position” on essential commodities likely this and the next year, the Ministry of Agriculture has reported lower area sown under wheat, oilseeds, pulses and coarse cereals this rabi season.

The reasons attributed are diversification to cash crops and “water stress” in parts of Uttar Pradesh (Bundelkhand region), Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.

In Rajasthan, between 10 and 15 per cent standing mustard crop has been damaged due to frost.

As per data compiled by the Ministry after consultation with the States, wheat has been sown in 277.31-lakh hectares compared to 282.14-lakh hectares last year.

Wheat sowing is reportedly complete for this year. Despite this, the Ministry officials feel that the output would match last year’s level of about 75 million tonnes, as the weather so far has been favourable.

Coarse cereals have been sown in 67.89-lakh hectares as compared to 70.48-lakh hectares in the corresponding period in 2007.

However, barley and maize have been grown in more area than last year.

Barley has been sown in 7.54-lakh hectares and maize in 10.35-lakh hectares. Rabi oilseeds are also lower at 89.46-lakh hectares compared to 96.95-lakh hectares in the last rabi.

Rabi pulses this year cover 133.36-lakh hectares, against 139.49-lakh hectares last year.

Gram coverage has reached 80.29-lakh hectares compared to 83.86-lakh hectares by this time last year.

On the brighter side this year, 34.1-lakh hectare area has come under winter paddy as against 32.41-lakh hectare last year.

The Commission on Agriculture Costs and Prices, in its report to the government recommending higher support price, has expressed concern at the “tight supply position” of essential food crops this and the next year, which will push up prices.

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