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The report stated that the sown area of rice and pulses have declined by 5.6 per cent and 4.4 per cent, respectively
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For the week ended on 02 September 2022, the overall Kharif sown area has fallen by 1.3 per cent compared with last year, said Bank of Baroda in a research report.
The report stated that the sown area of rice and pulses have declined by 5.6 per cent and 4.4 per cent, respectively. Within pulses, Arhar (2.7 per cent), Urad (1.6 per cent) and Moong (1.4 per cent) have registered a significant drop in acreage.
"Area sown for oilseeds too (2.9 per cent) continues to remain low compared with last year's levels. On the other hand, sowing areas of cotton (6.8 per cent) and sugarcane (1.7 per cent) have registered an improvement, according to the report.
For the cumulative period, the southwest monsoon is 5 per cent above LPA as of 8 September 2022. Out of 36 subdivisions, 6 are in the deficient zone during this period along with 6 states (Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand amongst other states).
The report said that the Kharif crops, which are in the last leg of sowing, are marginally lower in terms of acreage than last year. Deficient rains in parts of the Gangetic belt have impacted the acreage of rice and pulses.
"The dip in sowing activity has also prompted the government to curtail the exports of rice and needs further monitoring, with IMD predicting the likelihood of extended seasonal showers before the withdrawal of southwest monsoon," it added.
Also, for the period 1 June 2022 to 8 September 2022, the southwest monsoon was 5 per cent above LPA compared with last year. States such as Rajasthan, Gujarat, Telangana, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu continue to receive excess rainfall.
Other parts of the country including states in North India, Central India (Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh), Maharashtra, Kerala and North Eastern states have received normal rainfall.
"Part of the Gangetic Belt including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Delhi continue to receive isolated rainfall and is in the deficient zone," as per the report.
Meanwhile, India Meteorological Department (IMD) has projected in the coming week, isolated and scattered rainfall activity over the South Peninsula and North Eastern region. It also expects increased rainfall activity over the Northwestern region.
The Climate Prediction Centre in its monthly advisory stated that La Nina is likely to continue through the Northern Hemisphere winter in CY23, with a 91 per cent chance from September to November 22 and a 54 per cent chance of dropping from January to March 2023.