Kharif crops and abundant rainfall have kept the agri sector buoyant
The good news from Indian agricultural sector is that the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on Kharif crops has been minimal to zero.
Area coverage of Kharif crops has increased by 21.20 percent from last year. As on 17 July, 2020, total kharif crops have been sown on 691.86 lakh ha against 570.86 lakh ha during the corresponding period of last year.
Area coverage of rice has increased by 18.59 percent from 142.06 lakh ha to 168.47 lakh ha, pulses by 32.35 percent from 61.70 lakh ha to 81.66 lakh ha, coarse cereals by 12.23 percent from 103.00 lakh ha to 115.60 lakh ha.
Acreage of oilseeds has increased by 40.75 percent from 110.09 lakh ha to 154.95 lakh ha, sugarcane by 0.92 percent from 50.82 lakh ha to 51.29 lakh ha, cotton by 17.28 percent from 96.35 lakh ha to 113.01 lakh ha and jute and mesta by 0.7 percent from 6.84 lakh ha to 6.88 lakh ha.
The monsoon season also seems to be kind to farmers this year. As on 16.07.2020, actual rainfall received in the country is 338.3 mm against normal of 308.4 mm, an increase of 10 percent during the period from June 1, 2020 to July 16, 2020.
