The paddy acreage stood at 175.47 lakh hectares in the corresponding period last year. Pulses area was 95.22 lakh hectares in the same period last year. Paddy is the main kharif crop, sowing of which normally starts with the onset of southwest monsoon. About 80 per cent of the country s total rice production comes from the kharif season.
The area under paddy cultivation in India has decreased by 26% during the ongoing kharif season due to slow progress of the southwest monsoon. Acreage for pulses is also slightly down, but acreage for coarse cereals and oilseeds has increased. Cotton acreage has decreased, while acreage for sugarcane has slightly increased.