Monsoon-Sown Crop Area in India Drops 12% Amid Delayed Rains
Indian farmers have planted monsoon crops like rice, cotton and soybeans on 61.19 million hectares of land, a decline of 12% YoY.
(Bloomberg) -- Indian farmers have planted monsoon crops such as rice, cotton and soybeans on 61.19 million hectares (151 million acres) 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 5.37 million hectares so far this year, while cotton has been planted in 9.84 million 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.
| Crops | Acreage 2021 (million hectares) | Acreage 2020 (million hectares) | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rice | 16.2 | 17.44 | -7.1% |
| Pulses | 7.06 | 8.04 | -12.1% |
| Corn | 5.89 | 6.38 | -7.7% |
| Total coarse cereals | 9.13 | 11.51 | -20.6% |
| Soybeans | 9.32 | 10.58 | -11.9% |
| Groundnut | 3.03 | 3.73 | -18.6% |
| Total oilseeds | 12.89 | 14.94 | -13.7% |
| Sugar cane | 5.37 | 5.28 | +1.7% |
| Cotton | 9.84 | 11.3 | -12.9% |
| Total | 61.19 | 69.19 | -11.56% |
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