Sowing of kharif crops slowed down further in the third week of June, despite considerable progress in monsoon rains, with the total area sown falling by almost 24 per cent to 124.94 lakh hectares (lh) compared with 164.10 lh at this time last year.

States have reported that till June 24, rice has been sown/transplanted on 19.86 lh (21.86 lh), pulses on 9.66 lh (12.19 lh) and coarse cereals on 17.60 lh (18.19 lh).

The steepest fall has been in the sowing of oilseeds, which was just 6.97 lh (27.85 lh).

Sluggish pace

Though the onset of monsoon was delayed by about eight days this year, rains have advanced covering a major part of the country in recent days.

The cumulative rainfall during June 1-22 across the country stood at 85 mm against the normal for the period of 103.8 mm, a deficit of 18 per cent.

During this period, only six of the 36 metrological sub divisions had received excess rains, while 17 had received normal precipitation.

Eleven Met sub-divisions had received deficient rainfall, while two had scanty rains.

Cash crops

Sowing of cotton in the period fell to 19.07 lh against 34.87 lh last year.

Sowing of sugarcane, however, experienced a marginal increase to 44.38 lh (41.58 lh).

Till June 17, the gap in sowing compared with the previous year was 10 per cent.

Despite considerable progress of monsoon in several parts of the country since then, sowing may not have picked up as farmers may still be making up their minds.

May improve

Sowing may improve in the coming week if rainfall continues and advances, as predicted by the India Meteorological Department.

The total sown area as on June 24, as per reports received from States, stands at124.94 lh against 164.10 lh at the same period last year.

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