Arhar, soyabean sowing slower this year

After the bumper crop of pigeon pea (arhar) drove down wholesale prices, farmers have been circumspect in growing the pulses variety this year.

Three arhar growing states – Maharashtra, Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh have seen a dip in the acreage of arhar as of Friday last when compared to a similar period last year.

According to Agriculture Ministry data, arhar has been sowed over 34.88 lakh hectares, more than 15% lower than the 41.28 lakh hectares that were brought under cultivation for the corresponding period last year.

In Maharashtra, arhar was sown on 11.41 lakh hectares as against 13.10 lakh hectares for the corresponding period last year. In Karnataka, the arhar acreage was 7.36 lakh hectares as against 10.22 lakh hectares last year, while in Madhya Pradesh it was 5.7 lakh hectares as against 6.03 lakh hectares last year.

The glut of soya bean last year has hit cultivation this year. Data showed that farmers have sown soya bean across 95.66 lakh hectares till July 28 this year as against the 106.66 lakh hectares last year.

Overall, oilseeds cultivation has witnessed a dip with farmers sowing them on 142.31 lakh hectares as against 156.65 lakh hectares last year.

The lower sowing figures for pigeon pea in Karnataka can be attributed to the deficient rainfall, while in Madhya Pradesh farmers opted for cotton, which is considered to fetch better returns.

Cotton sowing has crossed 111.55 lakh hectares, 20.82% more than the 92.33 lakh hectares for the corresponding period last year.

Sowing for ground nut was also less than last year. As of Friday last, farmers had sowed ground nut on 33.05 lakh hectares as against 37.32 lakh hectares for the same period last year.

Overall, sowing for the Kharif crop has been completed on 75% of the farm land available for the season.

Sowing has been completed on 791.34 lakh hectares so far as against 765.79 lakh hectares last year. Acreage for paddy has increased by 2.47% to 216.23 lakh hectares as against 211.20 lakh hectares for the same period last year.