On the back of a healthy monsoon across the country in August, the Kharif crop sowing has witnessed a 2.1 per cent growth on a year-on-year (YoY) basis in 2024. As per the data by the agriculture ministry, the total area sown under Kharif crops stood at 1031.56 lakh hectares as of 16 August 2024, which is 21.04 lakh hectares more than the sowing during the corresponding period last year. The Kharif crops sowing as of 16 August 2023 stood at 1010.52 lakh hectares.
The total Kharif crop sown area in 2024 is now just 64.28 lakh hectares less than the average area sown in the last five years (1095.84) and is expected to cross the figure by the end of the season.
India’s main Kharif crop, paddy or rice, has witnessed a 5.6 per cent YoY increase in its cultivation, as the total area sown stood at 369.05 lakh hectares, up from 349.49 lakh hectares during the same period last year. Pulses reported the highest percentage increase in its sowing as about 120.18 lakh hectares of area coverage has been reported compared to 113.69 lakh hectares during the corresponding period of last year, marking a 5.7 per cent YoY increase.
As far as Shree Anna and coarse cereals are concerned, the data revealed that it reported a 2.7 per cent YoY growth in its acreage as it recorded about 181.11 lakh hectares area coverage compared to 176.39 lakh hectares during the same period last year.
However, cotton, jute and mesta reported a decline in their sowing. The area sown under cotton declined to 111.07 lakh hectares as of 16 August 2024 as compared to 122.15 lakh hectares during the same period last year, marking a decrease of 11.08 lakh hectares. Jute and Mesta sowing, too, declined by 0.86 lakh hectares YoY to stand at 5.70 lakh hectares as of 16 August 2024, the data showed.
As most crops have shown an increase in total sowing, it indicates a higher output in the 2024-25 crop year. However, since there is a forecast for further rains in the monsoon season, crops could be affected. If the crops remain unaffected by the rains, it could alleviate the concerns of the surge in food inflation.
