Rabi sowing update in India: Wheat gains momentum, while pulses continue to lag

Even as the sowing of Rabi crops is almost complete across the country, the area sown with pulses was still down by over 700,000 hectares till January 19, 2024, compared to the previous year. While total sowing of Rabi crops in 2023-24 cropping season has gained momentum, pulses still continued to lag, according to data published by the agriculture ministry. Till January 19, area sown with pulses was recorded at 15.51 million hectares, as opposed to 16.26 million hectares in the previous Rabi season. Rabi crops are typically planted in the country until the last week of December. In comparison to the previous season, the current season's sowing area was less by 251,000 hectares. Total area sown with Rabi crops was 68.36 million hectares, compared to last year’s 68.61 million hectares. Planting of wheat, the main crop of Rabi, has gained momentum in the last few weeks and was currently sown over 34 million hectares, up by 558,000 hectares since the last season. The government has ...