Rabi Crops Sowing crosess 520 Lakh Hactare

As per preliminary reports received from the States, the total area sown under Rabi crops as on 23^rd    December, 2015 stands at 520.07 lakh hectares.

Wheat has been sown/transplanted in 259.37 lakh hectares, pulses in 125.95 lakh hectares, coarse cereals in 52.94 lakh hectares. Area sown under oilseeds is 69.64 lakh hectares and Rice is 12.17 lakh hectares.

The area sown so far and that sown during last year this time is as follows:

**  Lakh hectare

Crop	Area sown in 2015-16	Area sown in 2014-15
Wheat	259.37	279.60
Pulses	125.95	124.77
Coarse Cereals	52.94	47.83
Oilseeds	69.64	74.35
Rice	12.17	13.62
Total	520.07	540.17

Note- The Crop Weather Watch Group meeting could not held on last Friday i.e. 25^th December, 2015 due to Christmas holiday.