Kharif Crop Acreage Declines Significantly, Sugarcane Still Popular
NEW DELHI: Recent reports indicate that the overall area dedicated to kharif (summer-sown) crops in India has decreased by 16% as of last Friday. Most crops have shown a reduction in their sown areas compared to the same time last year. However, sugarcane, known for its high water consumption and demand for ethanol, remains a favorite among farmers, despite the challenges posed by a weak monsoon.
Data released by the agriculture ministry on Monday revealed that sugarcane was planted on 57.5 lakh hectares as of July 10. This figure surpasses both last year’s sown area of 56.7 lakh hectares and the average of 54.2 lakh hectares over the last five years.
Significant Declines in Other Crops
While sugarcane flourishes, other crops such as pulses, cereals, and oilseeds have faced notable declines. Statistics show that pulses have dropped by over 23%, with coarse cereals and oilseeds falling by 22% and 21%, respectively. Cotton and paddy have also seen decreases of 15% and 9%.
As of mid-July, approximately 50% of kharif sowing typically takes place. Sugarcane has recently been at the center of discussions regarding the use of an ethanol-petrol mix (E20) in vehicles. The ongoing demand for sugarcane reflects farmers’ perception that the government’s push for ethanol not only helps in reducing import costs for India but also benefits them financially.
Despite the benefits, the decline in coarse cereals, which require less water than both paddy and sugarcane, indicates that farmers are opting for crops that promise better market prices instead of diversifying their options, even when the weather conditions suggest a need for it.
