File Photo
Indian farmers planted 28.3 million hectares (69.9 million
acres) of land with summer-sown rice. Which is 3.28% higher than the same
period last year, according to the latest data from the Ministry of
Agriculture. Because the strong rains of the season encouraged the spread of
land.
Higher rice plantings in India, the world's second-largest crop producer, will ease concerns about low production of the staple. India ordered the closure of its largest rice export division late last month. It's a move that would almost halve shipments by the world's largest grain exporter.
Farmers typically start planting rice, corn, cotton, soybeans, sugarcane, and peanuts, among other crops, from June 1, when monsoon rains are expected to begin drenching India. Summer rains are crucial as nearly half of India's farmland lacks irrigation.
For June and July together, India's monsoon rains were 5% above average, falling 10% below normal in June but rebounding to 13% above average in July. The weather office defines average, or normal, rainfall as ranging between 96% and 104% of a 50-year average of 87 cm (35 inches) for the four-month season.
This year, the delayed arrival of monsoon rains and lower
rainfall in June, especially in some southern, eastern, and central states, held
back the planting of summer crops, even as the monsoon covered the entire
country nearly a week in advance.
Some regions in India, including breadbasket states such as
Punjab and Haryana, received torrential rains in July, triggering floods.
Still, dry weather prevailed in some parts of the country.
Farmers planted 17.9 million hectares (44.2 million acres)
with oilseeds, including soybeans, 2.2% more than a year earlier. Corn was
planted on 7.6 million hectares (18.8 million acres), up from 7.5 million
hectares a year earlier. The cotton area was marginally lower at 11.9 million
hectares.
Source:
Online/GFMM
Comment Now