January 21, 2011

India increases sowing regions of wheat, oilseeds

The area sown under wheat increased by about 4%, while the acreage of total oilseeds increased by 2.4%.

Wheat was sown in over 288 lakh (28.8 million) hectares till January 14, 2011 against 279.12 lakh (27.91 million) hectares last year, an official statement said.

Oilseeds were sown on an area of 89.40 lakh (8.94 million) hectares as of now against 87.30 lakh (8.73 million) hectares last year.

However, areas under rice and total coarse cereals were down by 27% and 8% respectively compared to last year.

Total coarse cereals were sown in an area of 58.84 lakh hectares in comparison with 63.57 lakh (6.36 million) hectares previously, the statement added.