New Delhi: So far in the current 2024-25 Kharif (summer) season, paddy acreage has increased by six per cent to 369.05 lakh hectares. It was 349.49 lakh hectares in the year-ago period. This information has been given by the Agriculture Ministry. Sowing of the main Kharif crop paddy begins with the onset of the southwest monsoon in June and is harvested from September.

Pulses area increased

Till August 20 of the current season, the area under sowing of pulses has increased to 120.18 lakh hectares from 113.69 lakh hectares in the same period last year. The area under sowing of pigeon pea has increased from 40.74 lakh hectares to 45.78 lakh hectares. The area under sowing of 'Urad' has increased from 29.52 lakh hectares to 28.33 lakh hectares.

The area under coarse cereals and 'Shri Anna' (millet) increased to 181.11 lakh hectare from 176 lakh hectare in the same period a year ago. Among coarse cereals, the area under maize increased to 87.23 lakh hectare from 81.25 lakh hectare. The area under sowing of oilseeds increased marginally to 186.77 lakh hectare in this Kharif season from 185.13 lakh hectare a year ago.

Sugarcane sowing also increased

Among cash crops, the area under sugarcane sowing increased marginally from 57.11 lakh hectares to 57.68 lakh hectares. Whereas, the area under cotton decreased from 122.15 lakh hectares to 111.07 lakh hectares, while the area under jute-mesta decreased from 6.56 lakh hectares to 5.70 lakh hectares.

The total area sown for all Kharif crops was 1,031.56 lakh hectares, up 2 per cent from 1,010.52 lakh hectares during the same period last year. The southwest monsoon is currently active and progressing well in India, and various regions have recorded adequate rainfall.