Area in India planted in winter crops has increased 5.6% on higher sowing of wheat, oilseeds, and pulses leading the country’s agriculture ministry to expect a record harvest in 2014. Total winter crop acreage increased to 66.3 million hectares from 62.76 million hectares in 2013. Wheat planting increased 5.7% to 31.53 million hectares, pulse planting increased by 6.1% to 16.19 million hectares, and oilseed planting increased 3.4% to 9.07 million hectares. The county is expecting a record grain harvest of 263.20 million tons for 2013/14 breaking the previous record of 259.29 million tons achieved in 2011/12. A bumper grain crop could help the country hold down recent spiraling food prices triggered by vegetables, and could help the economy as a whole in the face of weak industrial and service sectors.
To receive relevant news stories with summaries provided by GAI Research & Insight, subscribe to Global AgDevelopments, our free bi-weekly enhanced eNews service