As per preliminary reports received from the States, the total area sown under Rabi crops as on December 29, 2017 stands at 565.79 lakh hectares as compared to 571.47 lakh hectare this time in 2016, a press note released by Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Government of India has said.

The sowing of wheat has seen a 6% decline while the acreage of pulses has increased by 8%. Wheat has been sown or transplanted in 273.85 lakh hectares, rice in 16.33 lakh hectares, pulses in 150.63 lakh hectares, coarse cereals in 50.71 lakh hectares and area sown under oilseeds is 74.27 lakh hectares, the press note has informed.

The area sown so far and that sown during last year this time is as follows:

Lakh hectare