In the current season of Kharif 2020, record area of 1,095.38 lakh hectare has been sown by September 3, 2020 as against 1,030.32 lakh hectare by this date in 2019, with increase of 6.32 percent. Sowing or transplanting of rice still continues while sowing of pulses, coarse cereals, millets and oilseeds is almost over. There is no impact of COVID-19 on progress of area coverage under kharif crops as on date, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare has informed.
Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Narendra Singh Tomar said that the timely prepositioning of inputs by Government of India like seeds, pesticides, fertilisers, machinery and credit had made it possible for large coverage even during pandemic lockdown conditions. Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and state governments had put all efforts in successful implementation of mission programmes and flagship schemes. Tomar said that credit goes to farmers for timely action and adoption of technologies and taking benefit of government schemes.
The final sowing figures for Kharif season will be closed on October 2, 2020.
Crop-wise sowing area coverage under Kharif crops
Rice: Sowing has been reported on 396.18 lakh ha compared to 365.92 lakh ha during the corresponding period of last year i.e. increase in area coverage by 8.27 percent.
Pulses: Sowing on 136.79 lakh ha against 130.68 lakh ha area of last year i.e. increase in area coverage by 4.67 percent.
Coarse Cereals: Coverage reported on 179.36 lakh ha area against 176.25 lakh ha area of last year i.e. increase in area coverage by 1.77.
Oilseeds: Sowing reported on 194.75 lakh ha area against 174.00 lakh ha area of last year i.e. area coverage increased by 11.93 percent
Sugarcane: Coverage reported on 52.38 lakh ha area against 51.71 lakh ha area of last year i.e. increase in area coverage by 1.30 percent.
Cotton: Area coverage reported on 128.95 lakh ha area against 124.90 lakh ha area of last year i.e. increase in area coverage by 3.24 percent
Jute & Mesta: Coverage reported on 6.97 lakh ha area against 6.86 lakh ha area i.e. increase in area coverage by 1.68 percent reported in the country.
Progress of area coverage under Kharif crops as on 04.09.2020
| S. No. |
Crop | Area Sown in lakh hectare | % Increase | |
| 2020-21 | 2019-20 | 2019-20 | ||
| 1 | Rice | 396.18 | 365.92 | 8.27 |
| 2 | Pulses | 136.79 | 130.68 | 4.67 |
| 3 | Coarse cereals | 179.36 | 176.25 | 1.77 |
| 4 | Oilseeds | 194.75 | 174.00 | 11.93 |
| 5 | Sugarcane | 52.38 | 51.71 | 1.30 |
| 6 | Jute & Mesta | 6.97 | 6.86 | 1.68 |
| 7 | Cotton | 128.95 | 124.90 | 3.24 |
| Total | 1095.38 | 1030.32 | 6.32 | |
As on September 3, 2020, actual rainfall received in the country is 795.0 mm against normal of 730.8 mm i.e. departure of (+)9 percent during the period from June 1, 2020 to September 3, 2020.
As reported by Central Water Commission, as on September 3, 2020, the live water storage available in 123 reservoirs in the country was 104 percent of live storage of corresponding period of last year.
