The deficit in southwest monsoon has narrowed and also the sowing of summer (Kharif) crops is progressing well across the country, Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar aforementioned.

The Asian country meteorologic Department (IMD) has projected overall monsoon to stay traditional. but until August eight, precipitation is five per cent below the traditional level.

“Monsoon was delayed a small amount and there was some concern. By Gods grace, the precipitation has improved currently and also the deficit has narrowed,” Tomar told reporters.

He additionally aforementioned, “we expect the precipitation can recover and also the deficit in sowing spaceunderneath the Kharif crops are going to be lined. The sowing operation is progressing well.”

On flood state of affairs in some states like Maharasthra and state, the minister aforementioned the central government is closely watching things.

Sowing of Kharif crops like paddy and pulses begin with the onset of monsoon from June and harvest starts from Gregorian calendar month forwards.

As per the most recent sowing information maintained by the Union Agriculture Ministry, total surface area seeded to all or any Kharif crops thus far has remained lower at 869.55 hundred thousand square measure as against 918.70 hundred thousand square measure within the year-ago.

Agriculture Secretary Sanjay Agrawal aforementioned, “the deficit in overall sowing space has improved compared to the last week. Now, the gap has return down.”

The rice surface area remains insulation and it’ll be recovered within the returning weeks as sowing widow is there till Sept initial week, he said.

Rice surface area was down at 265.20 hundred thousand square measure thus far within the Kharif season of the twenty19-20 crop year (July-June) compared with 304.18 hundred thousand square measure within the year-ago, as per the ministry information.

The Secretary more aforementioned pulses surface area has improved however oilseeds area remains down and also the deficit will recover within the days to come back.

Pulses was seeded in one hundred fifteen.39 hundred thousand square measure thus far this Kharif season as against 121.39 hundred thousand square measure within the year-ago, whereas oilseeds was planted in 157.17 hundred thousand square measure as against 162.52 hundred thousand square measure within the aforementioned amount, the info showed.

Coarse cereals was seeded in lesser space at 153.92 hundred thousand square measure as against 162.52 hundred thousand square measure within the aforementioned amount.

In case of business crops, sugarcane space was seeded in fifty two.30 hundred thousand square measure thus far this kharif season of this year as against fifty five.45 hundred thousand square measure a year-ago. PTI