As per preliminary reports received from the states, the total area sown under Rabi crops as on December 23rd stands at 554.91 lakh hectares as compared to 523.40 lakh hectare this time in 2015.
Wheat has been sown and transplanted in 278.62 lakh hectares, rice in 9.33 lakh hectares, pulses in 138.25 lakh hectares, coarse cereals in 50.63 lakh hectares and area sown under oilseeds is 78.08 lakh hectares.
The pulses crop area was higher at 138.25 lakh hectares compared with 125.73 lakh hectares same time last year.
The Rabi crops are sown around mid-November, after the monsoon rains are over, and harvesting begins in April/May.
The crops are grown either with rainwater that has percolated into the ground, or with irrigation. A good rain in winter spoils the Rabi crops but is good for Kharif crops.