Kharif crops

·         In July  2008 agriculture ministry revealed that overall acreage of major foodgrain and oilseed crops grown this kharif with pulses and bajra is witnessing a big jump –Rice planted in 55.95 lakh hectares (lh) as compared to 47.08 lh by June 2007

·         Bajra has covered 29.97 lh as compared to 11.64 lh last year, and maize 26.47 lh against 21.57 lh by June-end last year. However, the area under jowar has so far been 7.61 lh, lower than last year's 9.84 lh.

·         Otherwise the total of coarse cereals coverage has so far been 66.68 lh against last year's figure of 47.04 lh.

·         Groundnut sowing has covered 20.67 lh against last year's 19.34 lh and soybean has been sown in 24.82 lh against last year's coverage of 22.07 lh by June-end.

·         Total of oilseeds is higher at 50.01 lh than that of last year's 49.52 lh. The area under pulses is also higher than last year at 20.03 lh. However, sugarcane and cotton areas have come down at 42.82 lh compared to last year's 51.74 lh and 18.23 lh to 51.74 lh.

·         The area under jute is up at 8.66 lh than that of last year's 7.03 lh.