Kharif sowing in India has picked up momentum this season, recording a notable 10% increase compared to last year. According to the latest data from the Ministry of Agriculture, the total sown area reached 137.84 lakh hectares as of June 20, higher than the corresponding period last year. Heres a breakdown of the crop-wise sowing status: Crops Showing an Increase in Sowing: • Rice: Sown over 13.22 lakh hectares, marking a rise of 4.86 lakh hectares from the previous year. • Pulses: Covered 9.44 lakh hectares, up 2.8 lakh hectares from last year. This includes: o Moong: 4.43 lakh hectares o Urad: 1.39 lakh hectares • Coarse Cereals: Total sowing at 18.03 lakh hectares, with major gains in: o Maize: 12.32 lakh hectares o Bajra (Pearl Millet): 3.70 lakh hectares • Cotton: Sown over 31.25 lakh hectares, registering a substantial increase of 2.14 lakh hectares. Crops Showing a Decline in Sowing: • Oilseeds: Sown over 5.38 lakh hectares, slightly lower than last years 5.49 lakh hectares, with minor declines in groundnut and soybean acreage. • Jute & Mesta: Total area at 5.46 lakh hectares, marginally below last years figures. Looking ahead, all eyes are on the monsoons performance, as both quantity and distribution of rainfall will significantly impact crop yields and price trends. To support farmers, the government has increased the Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for 14 major Kharif crops, including paddy, maize, and soybean, ensuring better returns this season.