After the recent rains, the total area under Kharif crops has fallen to 1.26 lakh hectares against 2.51 lakh hectares at the same time last year. Till June 15 2016, only 3% of the normal area of 40.96 lakh hectares has been covered under Kharif 2016.
Rice is the main cultivated crop holding 77% of area followed by Jowar, Bajra, Maize, Ragi, Small Millets, Pulses, Castor, Tobacco, Cotton and Sugarcane.
Rice has been sown in 0.17 lakh hectare (till June 15, 2016) against the normal coverage of 16.03 lakh hectare in the state.
Nellore has seen maximum sowing with area under rice cultivation being 14,929 hectares against 7906 hectares at the same time last year. In Nellore, the normal area under rice cultivation is 46,378 hectares.
Chittor is holding the second position with 2275 hectares of land under rice crop production against 2494 hectares last year at the same time. The normal area under Paddy cultivation here is 13,656 hectares.
West Godavari is at third position with 121 hectares of land being sowed against 28 hectares at the same time last year. The normal area under Paddy acreage is around 23,8524 hectares.
Sesame has covered the maximum of 53.1% area at 13,263 hectares, against the normal 24,967 hectares. Last year only 9087 hectares of land was covered at this time of the season.
Sugarcane is also not far behind with 32.8% coverage at 47,676 hectares till June 15 against the normal area of 14,5483 hectares.
Maize is sown in 1177 hectares against 1398 hectares at the same time last year. The normal area under Maize cultivation is 91,494 hectares.
Cotton is sown in 3050 ha against 19765 ha at the same time last year. Normal area under cotton cultivation is 640774 hectares.
Pulses are also leading the race with total area being cultivated rising up to 9343 hectares against 2876 hectares at the same time last year. The normal area under pulses cultivation is 25,3247 hectares.
Early sown crops like Green Gram, Black Gram and Sesame are in the vegetative stage. The paddy nurseries are being raised under assured irrigation sources.
The early Kharif sowings were commenced under assured irrigation and rainfed conditions. No pest and diseases have been reported.
Image credit: youtube
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