Dearth in rainfall, low reservoirs hurt sowing of rabi crops

Weak monsoon in September and October coupled with a delay in the northeast monsoon has led to a fall in rabi sowing this year, a Crisil report said

502.5 lakh hectare – of land sowed in rabi season last year

5.25% – on-year drop in sowing in rabi season to 476 lakh hectare

Rabi crop accounts for 40% of India’s agriculture produce

20.4% – fall in coarse cereals’ production

9.3% – on-year drop in pulses sowing

Lower cash in the hands of farmers has also impacted rabi sowing this year. The gross value of output for 9 out of 14 key crops has seen a decline between September 1 and December 15,” the report added