Paddy Sowing Rises 4.3% To 360.79 Lakh Hectares In Ongoing Kharif Season: Govt data

The increase in paddy cultivation area can be attributed to the reduction in sowing delays, especially notable in states like Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Assam, and Karnataka.

The Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare data, on Friday, showed that the area under coverage for paddy increased 4.33 per cent to 360.79 lakh hectares across the country in the ongoing Kharif season. The Kharif season, typically spanning from June to September, accounts for approximately 80 per cent of India's total rice production. During the same period last year, paddy was cultivated across 345.79 lakh hectares, the data showed. 

The increase in paddy cultivation area can be attributed to the reduction in sowing delays, especially notable in states like Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Assam, and Karnataka, said a PTI report citing the Department of Agriculture data. For the Kharif season 2023 till August 18, paddy has been sown across 24.80 lakh hectares in Odisha, a marginal decrease of 0.43 lakh hectares from the corresponding period last year. Similarly, in Assam, paddy has been cultivated over 16.61 lakh hectares, marking a reduction of 0.61 lakh hectares compared to the previous year.

In Andhra Pradesh, paddy cultivation has covered 8.29 lakh hectares by August 18, showing a decline of 1.53 lakh hectares compared to the same period in the preceding year.

Among other summer crops, pulse sowing has decreased, covering 114.93 lakh hectares this year compared to 126.52 lakh hectares last year. This category includes Arhar, Urad, Moong, Kulthi, and other pulses.

The cultivation area for coarse cereals has slightly increased, with 176.39 lakh hectares sown in 2023, up from 173.60 lakh hectares in 2022. This category named Shri Anna by the government comprises Jowar, Bajra, Ragi, Small Millets, and Maize.

Oilseed sowing has seen a slight decrease, covering 185.91 lakh hectares in 2023, compared to 189.08 lakh hectares in the previous year. The major oilseeds include groundnut, soybean, sunflower, sesame, niger, castor, and other oilseeds.

Sugarcane cultivation has increased by a small margin, covering 56.06 lakh hectares this year, up from 55.32 lakh hectares in 2022. The cultivation area for jute and mesta has decreased to 6.56 lakh hectares in 2023 from 6.95 lakh hectares in the previous year.  Cotton cultivation has also marginally decreased, covering 121.86 lakh hectares in 2023, compared to 124.21 lakh hectares in 2022.