Kharif area up, but rains hit standing crops in 15 states

-The Hindu Business Line

Crops on over 21 lakh hectares damaged, Agri Min tells Parliament

Bengaluru: Timely and quick spread of monsoon this year did help boost the kharif acreage, but the heavy spell of rains witnessed across several parts of the country over recent weeks are seen spoiling the party for several farmers this cropping season.

“There have been extreme weather events in the form of heavy rains in some parts of the country which affected the standing crops,” said Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar informed the Parliament on Friday.

Standing crops hit

Standing seasonal crops such as paddy, maize, pulses, oilseeds, fruits and vegetables among others have been impacted on over 21 lakh ha across 15 States, according to the Agriculture Minister.

States such as Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, which faced heavy rains and flooding in several regions, have not yet quantified the crop losses.

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