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20 Apr, 2022 News Image India's sugar output seen 13 pc up at 35 mn tons, exports at 9.5 mn tons in 2021-22: Govt.
The country's sugar production is projected to rise by 13 per cent to 35 million tonne, while exports are likely to be 9.5 million tonne in the ongoing marketing year ending September 2022, according to the Food Ministry. About 99.5 per cent of cane dues amounting to Rs 92,480 crore of the previous year have been cleared, and about 80 per cent of cane dues of the current year have also been paid to farmers, it said.
 
The assessment of the sugar availability and export situation was discussed in a virtual meeting chaired by Food Secretary Sudhansu Pandey with the state cane commissioners here on Tuesday, the ministry added.
 
As per the revised estimates, the ministry said sugar output of 35 million tonne has been estimated for the ongoing 2021-22 marketing year after discounting 3.5 million tonne of sugar for ethanol.
 
The production, however, is higher than the estimated domestic consumption of about 27.8 million tonne, it said in a statement.
 
There was a carry-over stock of about 8.5 million tonne at the beginning of the 2021-22 marketing year.
 
According to the ministry, the availability of sugar in the country is sufficient to meet domestic requirements.
 
'As such, there will be smooth availability of sugar and sugar prices in the domestic market are expected to remain stable at reasonable levels,' it said.
 
In the current marketing year, sugar exports are likely to be 9.5 million tonne. After exports, there would be a closing stock of over 6 million tonne at the end of September 2022, it said.
 
In the ongoing 2021-22 marketing year, the ministry said out of total cane dues payable of Rs 91,468 crores, about Rs 74,149 crores have been paid to farmers as of April 18 this year.
 
'It is expected that in the current sugar season, cane price payment of more than Rs 1,00,000 crores would be made by sugar mills to farmers. Increase in export and diversion of sugarcane to ethanol has expedited cane price payments to farmers,' it added.
 
Further, the ministry said the government is encouraging sugar mills to divert excess sugarcane for ethanol blending with petrol, which not only serves as a green fuel but also saves foreign exchange on account of crude oil import.
 
There has been an increase in the diversion of sugar for ethanol making in the last three years. About 3,37,000 tonne of sugar was diverted for ethanol in 2018-19, 9,26,000 tonne in 2019-20 and 22,00,000 tonne in 2020-21.
 
In the current marketing year, about 35,00,000 tonne of sugar is estimated to be diverted for ethanol making, it said, adding that by 2024-25, about 60,00,000 tonne of sugar is estimated to be diverted for ethanol that would address the problem of excess sugarcane as well as delayed payment issue to farmers.
 
From the sale of ethanol to oil marketing companies, sugar mills have generated about Rs 53,000 crore in revenue between 2013-14 and 2020-21. In the current 2021-22 year, more than Rs 18,000 crore revenue is expected to be generated.

 Source:  economictimes.indiatimes.com
20 Apr, 2022 News Image Sitharaman meets South African Finance Minister, discusses enhancing bilateral ties, economic cooperation.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman met South African Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana on Tuesday in Washington DC and discussed enhancing bilateral ties between the two countries.
 
'Union Finance Minister @nsitharaman (Nirmala Sitharaman) met Godangwana Enoch, South Africa Finance Minister @TreasuryRSA on the sidelines of IMF-WB (International Monetary Fund-World Bank)Spring Meetings, at Washington D.C., today, to exchange views on issues of #Mutualinterests,' Ministry of Finance said in a tweet.
 
'Both Ministers discussed enhancing #Bilateral ties and #EconomicPartnership and exploring opportunities to increase bilateral #investment and #trade,' he added.
 
In the series of tweets, Finance Ministry further informed that the Union Finance Minister acknowledged South Africa's revenue collections for the fiscal year 2021-2022.
 
'Finance Minister Smt. @nsitharaman (Nirmala Sitharaman) also acknowledged South Africa's strong revenue collections in FY 2021-22 which helped boost the country's economy,' the Ministry of Finance tweeted.
 
The Union Minister reached Washington today morning on an official visit to attend the Spring Meetings at the World Bank, the G20 Finance Ministers meeting and the Central Bank Governor Meeting (FMCBG).
 
During the first day of the visit, Finance Minister participated in a high-level panel discussion on 'Money at a Crossroad' hosted by Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director, IMF.
 
'We are at the crossroads around how fast, how far, and in what proportion, but I see this as a one-way street in which Digital Money is going to play a bigger role,' the IMF chief said in her opening remarks.
 
Sitharaman highlighted India's performance in the digital world and the government's efforts to build the digital infrastructure framework over the last decade, stressing the increase of the digital adoption rate in India during the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
The IMF Managing Director lauded India's well-targeted policy mix that has helped the Indian economy remain resilient.
Georgieva highlighted the resilience of India which remains the fastest-growing country across the globe despite challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
Sitharaman called upon the IMF to support and urgently provide financial assistance to Sri Lanka. The Managing Director assured the Finance Minister that the IMF would continue to actively engage with Sri Lanka, the Ministry stated.
 
During the meeting, they discussed several issues currently being faced by the global and the regional economies.
 
Notably, once the meetings conclude in Washington, Sitharaman will head to San Francisco on April 24, where she will engage with business leaders and will also interact with the faculty and students at Stanford University. She will depart for India on April 27.

 Source:  aninews.in
20 Apr, 2022 News Image PM Modi likely to meet leaders of Germany, Denmark, France next month.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to hold a series of dialogues with European leaders between April 21 and the first week of May. This comes amid mounting pressure on India to sever ties with Moscow in view of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.
 
 
As per the sources in the PMO, PM Modi is expected to undertake a tour of three European nations-- Germany, Denmark and France-- in the first week of May. An official announcement regarding the same is expected later.
 
A senior official said that since the 2022 French presidential election is set for April 24, PM Modi’s visit to France could hinge on whether the key European nation will give Emmanuel Macron five more years, or elect a new president to the Élysée Palace.
 
Prior to his tour of three nations, PM Modi is scheduled to meet British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who are scheduled to visit India.
 
As per officials, British Prime Minister Johnson's two day visit to India, which starts on April 21, marks a push to 'restart with renewed energy ' talks on a proposed Indo-British trade pact as it had run into stalemate as the two sides couldn’t negotiate past contentious issues of market access and tariff reduction.
 
Meanwhile, European Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen will be visiting India on April 24 as the chief guest of 'Raisina Dialogue' which was Inducted in 2016 as India’s premier conference on geopolitics and geoeconomics committed to addressing challenges faced by the global community.
 
PM MODI’S EUROPEAN VISIT
 
PM Modi’s visit to European nations come as a time when India has firmly state that it will decide its own foreign policy. Recently, the stand taken by India over the Russia-Ukraine conflict at various global forums, as well the country’s attempts to augment its energy needs through purchase of Russian oil has been criticised by the US.
 
As per a senior government source, the ties with Europe are critical for India at such a time and the PM’s focus will remain on promoting regional cooperation, trade, and economics.
 
'European Union is India’s third largest trade partner and India would like to ensure that the ongoing cooperation programmes do not get impacted by the stress Russia-Ukraine conflict is creating,' the official said.
 
Earlier this month, at the India-US 2+2 ministerial dialogue, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged India not to buy additional Russian oil. He said, "When it comes to oil purchases, sanctions, et cetera, I just note that there are carve-outs for energy purchases. Of course, we're encouraging countries not to purchase additional energy supplies from Russia. Every country is differently situated, has different needs, requirements, but we're looking to allies and partners not to increase their purchases of Russian energy."
 
In response, EAM S Jaishankar said India's total purchase for the month would be less than what Europe buys in an afternoon.
 
EAM Jaishankar said, "If you are looking at energy purchases from Russia, I would suggest that your attention should be focused on Europe, which probably - we do buy some energy which is necessary for our energy security, but I suspect looking at the figures, probably our total purchases for the month would be less than what Europe does in an afternoon."
 
WHAT CAN BE EXPECTED FROM THESE MEETINGS?
 
Sources said that the final touches to the tour of the three nations are being provided, adding that if there is no major change in France, PM Modi could travel to the three nations between May 1-5.
 
In an attempt to push for greater trade, removing hurdles and firming up supply chain, PM Modi is expected to hold top level dialogues during his visit.
 
In Germany, PM Modi is expected to hold his first ever one-on-one meet with German chancellor Olaf Schultz. In Denmark, PM Modi’s focus will be on improving India’s ties with Nordic nations like Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Norway, and Iceland
 
Prime Minister of Denmark H E Mette Frederiksen visited India in October 2021. During the visit, the two countries decided to further expand collaboration in the areas of agriculture technology, including in the sectors of food safety, cold chain, food processing, fertilizers, fisheries, aquaculture, etc.
 
PM Frederiksen had extended an invitation to PM Modi to visit Copenhagen for the second India-Nordic summit in 2022.

 Source:  indiatoday.in
20 Apr, 2022 News Image Finland keen on more tie-ups with India.
Finland is keen to step up cooperation with India in areas like waste-to-energy, low carbon mobility and communication, said Finland’s visiting minister of Economic Affairs Mika Lintila, who on Monday made a joint announcement with science and technology minister Jitendra Singh on cooperation in quantum computing. 
 
 
Lintila said in an interview that India and Finland are exploring more tie ups and that the two sides would be announcing partnerships in the areas of energy too. Lintila, who is on a week-long visit to India said Finnish companies have expertise in areas like quantum computing, 5G technology, renewable energy and low emission mobility, the areas that could benefit from greater bilateral cooperation.
 
India’s collaboration with Finland in the technology segment has done well for companies like Nokia and digital technology would naturally be an area of future collaboration between the two countries, he said. 
 
 
Under the deal announced by both the sides on Monday, an Indo-Finnish virtual network centre on quantum computing would be set up, said an official statement from the ministry of science and technology. A deal to this effect was signed by officials from both the sides in the presence of Singh and Lintila. 
 
Lintila said that he would be meeting commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal and petroleum and natural gas minister Hardeep Singh Puri. 'We try to open doors for companies for cooperation. In energy sector we have solutions which could be very interesting for India, for example in ‘waste-to-energy’ and circular economy,' said Lintila.  
 
The minister said that connectivity is a key area in bilateral cooperation. 'The MoU signed today looks at quantum technology opportunity. There are specific areas where Finland is really advanced. We have strong research (capability) and companies that have technology,' said the minister. 
 
 
The statement from the science and technology ministry said quoting Jitendra Singh that bilateral collaboration between the two countries was an attempt to stimulate innovative research and development projects that address specific needs or challenges, demonstrate high industrial relevance and commercial potential and aim to deliver benefit to both the nations.  
 
Singh said that the Department of Science & Technology has started several mission mode programs covering electric vehicles, quantum technologies, future manufacturing and green hydrogen fuel and have sought collaboration with Finland in solving issues of societal challenges.  
 
'We are an export country. More than 40% of our GDP come from exports. We strongly support open trade. We (India and Finland) have good trade relations and we have to continue that and companies have a big role in that,' said Lintila.

 Source:  livemint.com
20 Apr, 2022 News Image Centre and States will work together to ensure pesticides and seeds availability: Shri Narendra Singh Tomar.
Union Agriculture Minister, Sh Narendra Singhr Tomar inaugurated National Conference on Agriculture for Kharif Campaign 2022-23 today at NASC Complex, New Delhi. The Minister expressed satisfaction that that as per 2nd Advance Estimates (2021-22), total food grains production in the country is estimated at 3160 lakh tonnes which will be an all time record.  The pulses and oilseeds production will be 269.5 and 371.5 lakh tonnes, respectively. As per third advanced estimates, horticulture production during 2020-21 is 3310.5 lakh tonnes which is the highest ever for Indian horticulture. The Minister stated that the centre and states would work together to ensure pesticides and seeds availability to reduce input costs for farmers. He urged that there should be a strategy to replace Urea with Nano-urea. He declared that the government would continue to lay emphasis on natural and organic farming. On exports the Minister said that while agriculture exports have increased, attention should be paid on quality prducts so that they can compete in International Markets. Exporters and farmers both should benefit.
 
The objective of this conference was to review and assess the crop performance during the preceding crop seasons and fix crop-wise targets for Kharif season in consultation with State Governments, ensure supply of critical inputs and facilitate adoption of innovative technologies with a view to enhance production and productivity of the crops.  The priority of government is agro-ecological based  crop planning for diversion of land from excess commodities like rice and wheat. to deficit commodities like oilseeds and pulses and high value export earning crops. Government is giving high priority to Crop Diversification with focus on Self Sufficiency in Oilseeds&Pulses and Promotion of Oil Palm. Consultations with all stake holders like major states, researchers, industries and policy makers have been held to finalize a National Policy Frame Work for Crop Diversification Programme in the country.  All states should work towards crop diversification for making agriculture sustainable, profitable and self sufficient in deficit commodities.
 
The Conference set National targets for total food grain production set at 3280 lakh tonnes for the year 2022-23 compared to expected production of 3160 lakh tonnes during current year. Target for production of pulses and pulses have been fixed at 295.5 and 413.4 lakh tonnes in 2022-23.  Nutri-cereals production has to be increased from 115.3 in 2021-22 to 205.0 lakh tonnes in 2022-23. The strategy would be to increase area through inter-cropping and crop diversification and productivity enhancement through introduction of HYVs and adoption of suitable agronomic practices in low yielding regions.
 
Shri Manoj Ahuja, Secretary (Agriculture and Farmers Welfare), said that the country is maintaining an increasing trend in food grain production since 2015-16. Total food grain production has increased by 25% in last 6 years from 251.54 to 316.01 million tonnes. Oilseeds have followed the same trend and have shown a growth of 42% from 25.25 million tonnes in 2015-16 to 37.15 million tonnes in 2021-22. India’s exports of agricultural products have grown by 19.92% during 2021-22 to touch $50.21 billion ( Rs 376575 crore).The commodities like wheat, other cereals, rice (other than Basmati), soya meal, raw cotton, fresh vegetable, and processed vegetables etc have registered most positive growths.
 
He said, 'We have to accelerate the production and productivity of agriculture and horticulture sectors for ensuring food and nutritional security in the rural areas. The Government has adopted several developmental programmes, schemes, reforms and policies that focus on higher incomes for the farmers. Action Plan for 3 years Seed Rolling Plan (2021-22 to 2023-24) for all oilseeds  with allocation Rs 381.95 crore will produce a total of 14.7 lakh quintals of quality seed of new HYVs will be produced in next 3 years.'
 
Making a detailed presentation on the strategies for crop management in Kharif season, Dr. A. K. Singh, Agriculture Commissioner said that country has recorded all time high food grains, oilseeds and horticultural production due to timely interventions of the government. Now, special focus is given on oilseeds, pulses and nutria-cereals. Post monsoon, rainfall has been in excess over normal and about 55.76 lakh hectares was under cultivation during summer. Following government policy, there has been reduction in area under rice with corresponding increase in pulses and oilseeds cultivation. Government has worked out requirement of seed and fertilizers and will ensure their timely supply.  ( Click here for detailed Presentation)
 
Secretary (Fertilizers) deliberated on positioning of fertilizers supply for forthcoming season. Detailed presentations were made for new initiatives taken for increasing production of nutri-cereals and celebrating of International Year on Milles in 2023. Cafeteria Approach under RKVY and sub-schemes for farm mechanization were shared for the benefits of the states. Presentations were also given on Digital Agriculture, PM-Kisan and Natural Farming.
 
Additional Secretary (Agriculture) and senior officers from DA&FW, ICAR and officers of different State Governments participated in the National Conference. The states of Gujarat, Assam, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh shared their progress. This was followed by an interaction session with Agriculture Production Commissioners and Principal Secretaries of all the States to raise issues concerning their states for increasing area coverage, production and productivity during Kharif season.

 Source:  pib.gov.in
19 Apr, 2022 News Image It is a matter of pride that there has been a big leap in Agri-exports and ease of doing business: Shri Narendra Singh Tomar.

 

Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Shri Narendra Singh Tomar today lauched two portals, one for the Computerized Registration of pesticide (CROP) and the other for Plant Quarantine Management System (PQMS). Speaking on the occasion the Minister said, keeping in mind Prime Minister’s vision for the Agriculture sector these two portals have been launched and would help in taking forward digital Agriculture and Ease of doing Business. Shri Tomar expressed happiness stating that Agriculture Exports have taken a great leap forward.

Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Shri Kailash Chaudhary said that the Prime Minister’s emphasis on technology will lead to further development of the Agriculture sector. The new portals will benefit farmers, exporters as well as industrialists.

Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DAFW), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, through the Directorate of Plant Protection, Quarantine & Storage (DPPQS), Faridabad has been catering to Indian exporters and importers of agriculture commodities and Indian Pesticide Industry, through its two portals namely, Computerized Registration of pesticide (CROP) and Plant Quarantine Information System (PQIS). Realising the need for quicker disposal of applications related to export/import of agricultural commodities and pesticides registration, a more coordinated integration with external systems and stakeholders, and to bring in greater transparency in the existing online system, DAFW today launched two redeveloped online portals.

The PQMS portal will provide a transparent system with no physical touch points for the applicants and ensure convenience to the users, through online system including e-payments and uploading of documents, online accreditation and renewal of treatment agencies/facilities and downloading of certificates. Similarly, the re-developed CROP portal will immensely help in ease of doing business and provide greater and timely Crop protection solution to farmers of the country.

DAFW had engaged CGG, Hyderabad for design, development, technical support maintenance and hosting of seamless integrated e-Governance solution for Plant Quarantine Management System (PQMS) on new technology platform and also for hosting of e-Governance solutions of redeveloped Comprehensive Registration of Pesticides (CROP).

SPRAY OF PESITCIDES USING DRONES

In line with the vision of the Prime Minister for promoting drone technology and its use in India and to facilitate the use of Kisan drones, as announced in budget document 2022-23; the Department in consultation with all the stakeholders of this sector, has brought out Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for use of drones in pesticide and nutrient application that provide precise instructions for effective and safe operations of drones. As part of continuing efforts to make drone technologies to reach all farmers, the Ministry has issued orders today granting an interim approval for spray of nearly all the registered pesticides formulations using drones. These pesticide formulations are those whose safety and efficacy has already been evaluated on different crops and are already being used in the country using other methods. The application of pesticides using drones will not only make it easier for farmers to efficiently protect plants from pests, but will also eventually help in increasing their incomes through reduced input costs.

Among those who graced the occasion were MoS Agriculture Shri Kailash Chaudhary, Agriculture Secretary Shri Manoj Ahuja, senior officials of the Agriculture Ministry, DG, Centre for Good Governance Shri Rajendra Nimje, ICAR Scientists, Representatives from the States, Industries and Farmers’ Organisations.

 

 Source:  pib.gov.in
19 Apr, 2022 News Image Centre launches online portals on export, import of agricultural commodities and pesticides registration.
Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Monday launched two new portals, including one for registration of pesticides.
 
The second portal is for documentation related to imports and exports of agri-products and plants. The portals — CROP (Comprehensive Registration of Pesticides) and PQMS (Plant Quarantine Management System) — aim at improving ease of doing business.
 
Speaking at the launch, Tomar said the portals will make the process of pesticides registration and documentation process for export-import simple and transparent. The government is committed to make improvements in systems, if required, he added.
 
Highlighting the importance of agriculture in the Indian economy, Tomar stressed on the need to strengthen the sector. The country is not only self-sufficient in foodgrains production but also has surplus stocks which is attributed to the efforts of the farmers’ community, research done by farm scientists and the farmer-friendly policies of the government, he added.

 Source:  tribuneindia.com
19 Apr, 2022 News Image India restarts tea, rice, other exports to Russia.
India's exports to Russia have resumed with containers carrying goods including tea, rice, fruits, coffee, marine products and confectionery shipping out last week, said people with knowledge of the matter. Banks led by Russia's largest lender, Sberbank, are facilitating settlement of bilateral trade moving largely through ports in Georgia.
 
'The transactions are happening through Sberbank,' said Ajay Sahai, director general and CEO, Federation of Indian Export Organisations.
 
Exports had almost stalled amid the uncertainty that followed Russia's invasion of Ukraine on February 24. The trade is being settled through the rupee-rouble route to the extent possible, while some banks are providing remittances in euros, said a person aware of the details. Officials of both countries have held talks relating to trade and payments.
 
'We have just shipped 60 containers of non-basmati rice to Russia, each weighing 22,000 kg,' said Ashwin Shah, director at Shah Nanji Nagji Exports, a leading exporter of rice to Russia. 'Payment for our rice is being handled by Russia-based Alfa Bank. Bank of Maharashtra is our Indian bank.'
 
The immediate demand is for food as Russian stores are emptying out because of sanctions imposed on the country and the ban on supplies by the European Union. 'Tea exports to Russia have begun and we have just shipped five containers to Russia,' said Mohit Agarwal, director of Asian Tea, a leading exporter.
 
Russia is a major market for Indian tea, importing 43-45 million kg annually. More items will shortly be added for exports to Russia, industry sources said.

 Source:  economictimes.indiatimes.com
19 Apr, 2022 News Image Sugar exports may jump to 90 lakh tonnes in 2021-22: ISMA.
Sugar exports are estimated to increase to over 90 lakh tonnes in the current marketing year ending September, from 71-72 lakh tonnes in the previous year, on better demand for the Indian sweetener from Bangladesh and Indonesia, according to industry body ISMA. The sugar marketing year runs from October to September.
 
'As per market reports and port information, around 80 lakh tonnes of sugar export have been contracted so far. Out of that, about 57.17 lakh tonnes of sugar have been physically exported out of the country during October 2021-March 2022 period, as compared to about 31.85 lakh tonnes exported in the last sugar year during the same period,' Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA) said in a statement.
 
About 7-8 lakh tonnes of sugar is in pipeline for export in April 2022.
 
'In the current year, major export destinations are Indonesia and Bangladesh, accounting for almost 44 per cent of total exports, as against 48 per cent shared collectively by Indonesia and Afghanistan last year during the corresponding period,' the association said.
 
ISMA said it has revised its production estimate to 350 lakh tonnes for the 2021-22 marketing year. It also revised its export estimates to over 90 lakh tonnes.
 
'Considering the above and domestic consumption of 272 lakh tonnes, there will be a closing balance of 68 lakh tonnes at the end of the sugar season on 30th September 2022,' it added.
 
Recently, Food Secretary Sudhanshu Pandey had said that India's sugar exports are expected to cross 80 lakh tonnes in the ongoing 2021-22 marketing year ending September, surpassing the previous year's level. During the 2020-21 marketing year, the country exported a record 72.3 lakh tonnes of sweetener.
 
On the production side, ISMA said that mills have produced 329.91 lakh tonnes of sugar till April 15 in the current 2021-22 marketing year against 291.82 lakh tonnes in the year-ago period.
 
In Maharashtra, sugar production till April 15 was 126.48 lakh tonnes compared to 103.95 lakh tonnes in the corresponding period of the previous marketing year. Sugar production in Uttar Pradesh declined to 94.41 lakh tonnes from 100.86 lakh tonnes during the period under review.

 Source:  economictimes.indiatimes.com
19 Apr, 2022 News Image India summer pulses sowing up 37.19% as on April 18, 2022.
India’s summer pulses sowing is up by 37.19% while summer oilseed is up 3.35% even as rice has been sown in 1.87 lakh ha less than last year, according to government of India’s latest data release on Monday.
 
For pulses 'about 12.21 lakh ha area coverage has been reported compared to 8.90 lakh ha during the corresponding period of last year,' the ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare said in a statement.
 
The area has been reported mainly from the states of Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, West Bengal, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Assam, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Punjab, Uttarakhand and Jammu & Kashmir.
 
For Oilseeds, about 10.18 lakh ha area has been reported compared to 9.85 lakh ha during the corresponding period of last year West Bengal, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka reporting the maximum sowing, the government said.
 
About 28.51 lakh ha area coverage has been reported under summer rice compared to 30.38 lakh ha during the corresponding period of last year. While nutri -cum - Coarse Cereals such as jowar, bajra, ragi and maize – have been sown in about 9.22 lakh ha area compared to 9.19 lakh ha during the same period of last year.

 Source:  economictimes.indiatimes.com