New Delhi, Jan 1 (Inditop.com) There is good news on New Year’s day from the country’s agriculture sector.
The rabi (winter sowing) season shows signs of improvement in production of wheat, rice and pulses.
“Data received from states reveals that sowing of rabi crop is progressing well,” said an agriculture ministry statement here Friday.
The worst monsoon in nearly four decades and unexpected floods in some parts of the country had spoiled the country’s kharif season, pushing up food prices.
The acreage in the sowing of wheat, rice and pulses this rabi season is higher compared to last year, according to data released by the agriculture ministry.
As on Dec 31, 2009, wheat has been sown in 260.71 lakh hectares, compared to only 255.62 lakh hectares in 2008.
Rice has been sown in 4.55 lakh hectares, while in 2008, rice was sown in only 3.61 lakh hectares.
Pulses have been sown in 125.60 lakh hectares till Dec 31, while in 2008, it was sown in 120.84 lakh hectares.
However, the sowing of coarse cereals shows a dip. It has been sown in only 60.94 lakh hectares while in 2008, it was sown in 64.81 lakh hectares.
Last week, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee said it was a major challenge for the government to check inflation in the short-to-medium term.
Opposition parties had stalled parliamentary proceedings over spiralling food prices, resulting in the adjournment of the Lok Sabha for a day during the winter session this month.
rounak