Area sown to summer crops marginally up at 69.06 lakh hectare so far

New Delhi, Apr 20 (PTI) The total area sown to summer-season crops has increased marginally to 69.06 lakh hectares so far this year, with maximum coverage under paddy, according to the agriculture ministry data.

Summer-season or zaid crops are sown between February-June — the intervening period between rabi (winter) harvest and kharif (monsoon) sowing.

About 66.14 lakh hectares were sown under zaid crops in the year-ago period.

As per the ministry data, rice has been sown in 30.64 lakh hectares till April 17 this year against 32.31 lakh tonne in the year-ago period.

Rice is sown during this season mainly in West Bengal, Telangana, Karnataka and Odisha, while short-duration pulses, especially moong and urad, and some oilseeds are also grown in states

like Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and others.

Area sown to pulses increased to 15.47 lakh hectare compared to 13.49 lakh tonne, while oilseeds acreage rose to 9.14 lakh tonne from 7.65 lakh tonne in the said period.

Area sown to coarse cereals increased to 13.81 lakh tonne till April 17 this year from 12.70 lakh hectare in the year-ago period.

The government has been promoting zaid crops to encourage farmers to utilise the 90-day window between winter and rainy season.

Experts said there is a possibility of bringing more area under zaid crops if irrigation is expanded and the problem of stray animals in some states is addressed. Agriculture crops are grown in three seasons — rabi, kharif and zaid. PTI LUX MR