Overview
- The total rabi coverage reached 644.29 lakh hectares as of January 9, up 17.65 lakh hectares from a year earlier, according to the agriculture ministry.
- Wheat acreage rose about 2% to 334.17 lakh hectares from 328.04 lakh hectares in the same period last season.
- Pulses area increased to 136.36 lakh hectares, led by a sharp rise in gram sowing of 4.66 lakh hectares.
- Coverage of coarse cereals advanced to 55.20 lakh hectares and oilseeds expanded to 96.86 lakh hectares versus last year.
- The ministry linked the gains to pre-sowing MSP hikes and improved rains, while the IMD flags below-normal January–March rainfall that scientists say may have limited impact on well-irrigated rabi crops.