Kharif pulses area up 33% in Karnataka

Buoyed by good rains, area sown under pulses in Karnataka has increased by 33% to 7.02 lakh hectare so far this kharif season.

Total area under all kharif crops in the state was also higher by 13% at 24.63 lakh hectare so far this season, as per the latest data released by the Union Agriculture Ministry.

 

The Met Department has forecast better than normal monsoon for the entire June-September period. The southern peninsula received good rains in June though overall rainfall was deficient by 11% in this period.

 

Sowing of kharif crops like paddy and pulses begins with the onset of southwest monsoon from June and harvesting starts from October.

 

As per the ministry's data, pulses area in Karnataka increased to 7.02 lakh hectare as on today, from 5.29 lakh hectare in the year-ago period.

 

Farmers in the state have taken tur dal sowing in a big way as area has more than doubled to 3.72 lakh hectare from 1.74 lakh hectare in the said period.

Area under urad has decreased to 0.51 lakh hectare from 0.55 lakh hectare and area under moong has risen to 2.32 lakh hectare from 2.16 lakh hectare in the said period.

Karnataka is ahead in pulses sowing as of now when compared to other states like Maharasthra.

In fact, pulses area in Maharashtra is down at 4.84 lakh hectare so far this season as against 8.68 lakh hectare in the year-ago period, due to inadequate rains.

 

The Centre has announced significant hike in the support price of pulses to boost domestic production and check prices, which at present are retailing as high as ₹198/kg.

 

Similarly, oilseeds acreage has so far increased to 4.92 lakh hectare from 3.98 lakh hectare, while that of coarse cereals area has gone up to 7.52 lakh hectare from 6.88 lakh hectare in the said period.

 

However, area sown under paddy, the main kharif crop, was down at 1.30 lakh hectare as on today from 1.42 lakh hectare in the year-ago period.

 

Among cash crops, cotton area was up at 1.03 lakh hectare as against 0.68 lakh hectare, but sugarcane acreage showed a decline to 2.84 lakh hectare from 3.63 lakh hectare in the said period.