As rains revive, paddy sowing hits record

The area under kharif or summer rice has expanded to a record 41.15 million hectares as on September 22, despite a monsoon-battering El Nino weather pattern, a final round of official estimates show

- Zia Haq

For a country battling high cereal prices for the last 12 months, the robust acreage of the main summer staple should help put a lid on prices and boost supplies. Harvests are due to begin next month.

The reported paddy acreage is 2.7% higher than the corresponding period of last year and 3% higher than the normal area as calculated by the agriculture ministry. The driest August on record triggered drought-like conditions in parts of the country but a late revival of the monsoon in September has improved the condition of most crops.