Rabi Crop Sowing Exceeds 614 Lakh Hectares, Outpacing Last Year’s Progress

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 30th Dec. The Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare has reported that Rabi crop sowing has reached over 614.94 lakh hectares as of December 30, 2024, surpassing the 611.80 lakh hectares recorded during the same period last year.

Area Coverage:

1. Wheat:
   • Sown across 319.74 lakh hectares, up from 313 lakh hectares last year.
2. Pulses:
   • Total area coverage is 136.13 lakh hectares, including:
     • Gram: 93.98 lakh ha (93.17 lakh ha in 2023).
     • Lentil: 17.43 lakh ha (17.76 lakh ha in 2023).
3. Shri Anna & Coarse Cereals:
   • Covering 48.55 lakh hectares compared to 47.77 lakh hectares last year.
   • Major contributors include Jowar (22.24 lakh ha) and Maize (18.93 lakh ha).
4. Oilseeds:
   • Area coverage crossed 96.15 lakh hectares.
   • Rapeseed and Mustard lead with 88.50 lakh ha, followed by Linseed (2.68 lakh ha).

Trends in Rabi Crop Sowing:

• Wheat, a staple crop, continues to dominate the sowing area, reflecting robust farming practices.
• Oilseeds, with their growing demand, have seen significant cultivation, though slightly lower than last year’s figures.
• Pulses and coarse cereals remain key contributors to ensuring food and nutritional security in the country.

The report underlines the steady growth in agricultural practices and favorable conditions contributing to increased sowing across most categories.