India: Rabi crop sowing crosses 479 lakh hectares, pulses and wheat witness jump

now covered under pulses, compared to 105.78 lakh hectare during the corresponding period of last year, according to Agriculture Ministry. While 36.28 lakh hectare area coverage under ‘Shri Anna and Coarse Cereals’ has been reported till December 5, oilseeds have crossed 84 lakh hectares. The increase in sown area is expected to lead to higher production, which in turn would increase the incomes of farmers and also help to keep food inflation in check. The official figures show that the area under wheat has shot up by 23.59 lakh hectares to 241.40 lakh hectares from 217.81 lakh hectares during the same period last year. The area under pulses such as urad, lentils (masur), and moong has gone up to 105.78 lakh hectares from 106.21 lakh hectares during the same period last year. The area covered under coarse cereals or millets such as jowar, bajra and ragi has gone up to 36.28 lakh hectares during the current season so far, compared to 35.94 lakh hectares in the same period of the ...