Gujarat: Rabi sowing area expands by 27%

The area of cultivation under rabi crops on December 23 stood at 32.72 lakh hectares, up 27% from the previous year’s figure of 25.75 lakh hectares, according to the latest data released by the Gujarat agriculture department. Sowing of winter crops is up by 4% as compared to the 10-year average of 31.19 lakh hectares, the data shows. Rabi sowing in the state begins in October and ends by December.
 

This year, sowing began on a slow note because of the monsoon’s run extended till November. However, officials said, sowing picked up as soon as the monsoon retreated. The officials said that the rabi sowing has almost concluded for this year. Officials added that this year cultivation areas of gram, cumin, irrigated wheat, and maize have increased. The cultivation area of onion crops this season stands at 32,694 hectares against 24,873 hectares in 2018.

Mahuva APMC officials said that wholesale prices of onions touched Rs 85 per kg, leading to an increase in sowing. However, the quality of the produce is likely to suffer due to the moisture brought in by the unseasonal rains. Area under cumin crop rose by 30% to 4.17 lakh hectares against last year’s 3.21 lakh hectares. The officials said that despite the rising prices of potatoes, farmers could not increase the crop area as it was too late for sowing. The cultivation area of potatoes stands at 1.13 lakh hectares this year, marginally up from 1.2 lakh hectares in 2018.