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Chennai , Sept. 11

OILSEEDS may be headed for a record output going by current sowing trends, even as good progress has been made in rice, pulses and coarse cereals coverage.

A 26 per cent excess rainfall has aided the coverage during the week ended September 3, according to an Agriculture Ministry statement.

At least 22 out of the 36 meteorological sub-divisions in the country recorded above normal rainfall during the period. For the entire monsoon period starting June 1, the average weighted rainfall is four per cent above normal. Excess to normal rainfall has been recorded in 33 meteorological sub-divisions, as per the statement.

The rainfall seems to have aided further sowing in rice. Till September 8, 341 lakh hectares (lh) have been brought under rice against 298 lh last year. The coverage is 84 per cent of the normal area under rice.

Sowing in bajra inched up to 90 lh, nearer the normal acreage of 94 lh, while 42 lh have been brought under jowar. So far, 224 lh have been brought under coarse cereals as against 182 lh last year. This makes up 97 per cent of the normal area under coarse cereals.

After being hit by drought last year, oilseeds sowing is seen in full swing this year. Already, soyabean has been brought under a record 69 lh. Groundnut sowing is also heading to at least near normal of 57 lh. Till now, 52 lh have been brought under groundnut.

Further progress has also been made in pulses sowing (120 lh vs 98 lh) and cotton (73 lh vs 69 lh), though it is still below the normal coverage.

The water storage level, according to the statement, is better than last year. It is at 54 per cent of the full reservoir level but 111 per cent of last year's level.

Insect and pest attacks were also under control, it said.

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