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Excess rains and floods have caused a slight decline in India's paddy sowing area this kharif season, though recovery is expected soon. Overall, kharif crop sowing has progressed well, with significant increases in areas under pulses, maize, and oilseeds. Cotton sowing has seen a notable decline, while sugarcane and soyabean plantings are nearing completion. The government remains optimistic about achieving a bumper harvest if favorable conditions persist.

Highlights

Decline in Paddy Sowing Due to Excess Rains: For the first time this season, paddy sowing area has decreased compared to last year due to excess rains and floods. However, recovery is expected in the coming weeks.

Overall Kharif Crop Sowing Progress: As of July 26, 74% of the normal kharif season area (1,095.84 lakh hectares) has been planted, totaling 811.87 lakh hectares, up by 2.3% from last year.

Slight Drop in Paddy Area: Paddy sowing area reached 215.97 lakh hectares, which is 0.27% less than the previous year. Despite this, planting in West Bengal continues until September.

Increase in Pulse Crops: The area under arhar has increased by 34.1% to 38.53 lakh hectares, and moong has increased by 12.4% to 30.37 lakh hectares. However, urad area has decreased by 3.1%.

Maize and Nutri Cereals Sowing: Maize sowing area has increased by 13.6% to 78.80 lakh hectares. Nutri cereals, including bajra, have shown a 5% increase in overall acreage to 153.10 lakh hectares.

Cotton Sowing Decline: Cotton sowing area has decreased by 6.9% to 105.73 lakh hectares as of July 26, compared to 113.54 lakh hectares last year. The decline follows a 3% increase until mid-July.

Sugarcane and Soyabean: Sugarcane sowing is nearly complete at 57.68 lakh hectares, slightly up from 57.05 lakh hectares last year. Soyabean coverage is nearing its normal area, reaching 121.73 lakh hectares, up by 4%.

Overall Oilseeds Sowing: The total area under oilseeds has increased by 3.8% to 171.67 lakh hectares from 165.37 lakh hectares last year. Groundnut sowing has grown by 13.7% to 41.03 lakh hectares.

Conclusion

Despite the temporary setback in paddy sowing due to excessive rains, India's kharif crop outlook remains optimistic, with substantial increases in the sowing areas of pulses, maize, and oilseeds. While cotton sowing has declined, the overall progress in crop planting is promising, with sugarcane and soyabean nearing their normal coverage. Continuous monitoring by the government and favorable weather conditions over the next two months are crucial to achieving a bumper harvest. The resilience and adaptability of farmers, along with strategic crop shifts, are expected to mitigate early season challenges.

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