India main rice crop planting up 7%

India’s main (Kharif) rice crop planting area has increased to around 19.6 million hectares, up around 7% from around 18.4 million hectares rice planting area seen during this time last year, according to the Ministry of Agriculture.

Oryza.com reports that while widespread rainfall across most parts of rice area in India last week helped planting conditions, planting was hampered in the eastern states of West Bengal, Bihar and Assam due to deficient rainfall.

According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), heavy rainfall is expected in the eastern states in the coming few days.

Overall, area under Kharif crop planting (including rice and other crops) has increased to around 74.8 million hectares, up about 18 % from around 63.5 million hectares seen during this time last year.