This year, the southwest monsoon covered India by June 29, slightly ahead of the normal date, according to the India Meteorological Department. Early onset of monsoon has encouraged farmers to commence planting at a brisk pace. Acreage numbers of major crops as of June 27, bear this out – 26.2 million hectares as compared with 23.5 million hectares this time last year.Planted area for rice, pulses, coarse cereals and oilseeds has increased.
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