Rains this month helped the current sowing process and facilitated the standing crops well in most areas; the general acreage of winter-sown crops is all set to make a new record in what may ultimately lead to the extra-large production of food grains.
Though the acreage of wheat this season remains slightly less than its sown part in the corresponding period last year, the additional acreage of oil-seeds and pulses may help set the new highest record. Acreage statistics of agriculture ministry as on last Friday showed the total sown area under winter crop at 680 million hectares compared to 672 million hectares during the corresponding period last year — an increase of over 1%. It, however, reported a hike of about 9% compared to the normal sown area (625 million hectares) of winter crops during the consistent period.
An increase in acreage of oil-seeds is credited to farmers’ choice in its favor which is influenced by higher hike in MSP of mustard and rapeseed. The higher sown area along with good weather conditions including a wet spell at the suitable time will help farmers in getting higher output in 2021-22,’ said an officer in the agriculture ministry.
Though the acreage of wheat was about 4 million hectares less as on Friday, pulses’ sown areas presented an hike of over 1 million hectares and acreage of oil-seeds displayed an increase of over 18 million hectares (23%) compared to its sown areas during the last period in 2019-20.
The ministry has already projected advanced production of summer-sown harvests, including record production of paddy in 2021-22, representing how this along with high rabi crops’ output will make the current year more fruitful than the earlier one.
The total production of winter crops in India is projected at the highest 150 million tonnes (MT) which is over 12 MT higher than the average production of the last five years (2015-16 to 2019-20). As far as rice crop is concerned, its output during 2021-22 is estimated at 107 MT which is over 9 MT higher than its average output of the past five years.
Data from agriculture ministry
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