Sowing

Highest week-on-week numbers since 2017-18; hopes of strong harvest

Farmers have also increased acreage under rapeseed, the key winter-sown oilseed, to 7.1 million hectares as of Nov. 25

The plea stated that the modified seeds can contaminate non-GM mustard crops and that the sowing of such seeds should be put on hold

For all the kharif crops, the acreage, as on September 2, was around 106.92 mha - just 1.27% lower than last year

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has expressed concern over the continuing dry spell in the state, which is "taking a toll" on its farming practices

Pink bollworm can inflict locule damage to the extent of 55% and can reduces seed cotton yield by up to 90%. It impacts the lint quality primarily

At an all-India level, only 27.5% of the groundnut crop area is under irrigation, according to government data

The early arrival of monsoon rains in central and northern India will help farmers accelerate sowing of summer-sown crops such as paddy rice, cotton, soybean and pulses, and may boost crop yields too

Rains do swivel between normal, deficient and excess across years, but good rains in times of severe contraction in the economy are a big relief

Overall, abundant rains have supported sowing activity

The actual outturn of the monsoon will be vital for replenishing reservoir and ground water levels, and supporting timely sowing and eventual yields

(ICRISAT, Microsoft and Andhra Pradesh government have collaborated on these digital technology tools