New Delhi: The total sown area as on September 16, 2016 in India stands at 1059.48 lakh hectare as compared to 1022.61 lakh hectare at this time last year. Based on reports received from various States, the union agriculture ministry says that out of the total sown area reported, the rice has been sown/transplanted in 382.00 lakh hectare, pulses in 144.96 lakh hectare, coarse cereals in 188.62 lakh hectare, oilseeds in 188.33 lakh hectare, sugarcane in 45.77 lakh hectare and cotton in 102.23 lakh hectare.
The Centre has decided that the Minimum Support Prices (MSPs) for Kharif Crops grown in 2016 will be applicable from September 1, 2016. The decision of the Government has been conveyed to the Agriculture Secretaries of all States and Union Territories by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare. The decision has been taken as harvested crops sown in Kharif may reach the market even before October.
The Government announces MSPs in each season for major agricultural commodities to ensure remunerative prices to the farmers for their produce. The MSP for Kharif Crops namely Paddy, Jowar, Bajra, Maize, Ragi, Tur (Arhar), Moong, Urad, Groundnut-in-shell, Soyabean, Sunflower Seed, Nigersed, Sesamum and Cotton was announced on 1st June, 2016 before the sowing season to enable farmers to take a decision for sowing a particular crop
The details of the area covered so far and that covered during this time last year: (in Lakh hectare)
| Crop | Area sown in 2016-17 | Area sown in 2015-16 |
| Rice | 382.00 | 371.74 |
| Pulses | 144.96 | 112.43 |
| Coarse Cereals | 188.62 | 182.70 |
| Oilseeds | 188.33 | 183.21 |
| Sugarcane | 45.77 | 49.60 |
| Jute & Mesta | 7.57 | 7.73 |
| Cotton | 102.23 | 115.20 |
| Total | 1059.48 | 1022.61 |
