No impact of COVID-19 on kharif sowing; acreage up 21.20% so far: Govt

Sowing of kharif crops begins with the onset of southwest monsoon from June, while harvesting starts from October. Rice is the main kharif crop, besides bajra, arhar, urad, moong, groundnut and soyabean.

PTI

July 17, 2020 / 19:46 IST

There has been no impact of COVID-19 pandemic on kharif (summer) sowing as the total area planted to rice and other crops has increased by 21.20 per cent to 691.86 lakh hectare so far in the current season, the Agriculture Ministry said on Friday. The country has so far received good rainfall and water level in 123 reservoirs across the country is in good position, it said in the latest sowing data.

Sowing of kharif crops begins with the onset of southwest monsoon from June, while harvesting starts from October. Rice is the main kharif crop, besides bajra, arhar, urad, moong, groundnut and soyabean.

"As on July 17, total kharif crops have been sown on 691.86 lakh hectare area against 570.86 lakh hectare area during the corresponding period of last year, thus increase in area coverage by 21.20 per cent," the ministry said.

So, there is no impact of COVID-19 on progress of area coverage under kharif crops as on date, it said.

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