date:Jul 31, 2013
Indias main (Kharif) rice crop planting area has increased to around 19.6 million hectares, up around seven per cent from around 18.4 million hectares rice planting area seen during this time last year, according to the Ministry of Agriculture.
Oryza.com reports that while widespread rainfall across most parts of rice area in India last week helped planting conditions, planting was hampered in the eastern states of West Bengal, Bihar and Assam due to deficient rainfall.
According to the Indian