By Pratik Parija,
Indian farmers have planted monsoon crops such as rice, cotton and soybeans on 6.11 crore hectares of land as of July 16, a decline of 12% from a year earlier, according to the farm ministry.
Area under sugarcane has risen almost 1.7% to 53.7 lakh hectares so far this year, while cotton has been planted in 98.4 lakh hectares, down 13% from a year earlier, the ministry said late Friday.
India’s June-September monsoon rains were 7% below average in the week ended July 14, according to the India Meteorological Department.
Sowing of monsoon-sown crops normally begins in late May and peaks in July while harvesting starts in late September.
Following is a table showing area covered under major crops.
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