Date:26/01/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/01/26/stories/2007012616230400.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Minister hopes for better rabi

Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD: Agriculture Minister N. Raghuveera Reddy has expressed optimism that the cultivated area is likely to improve significantly during the current rabi season.

In a statement, the Minister said the overall cultivated area has increased by two per cent till date with significant increase in the net sown area of pulses, oilseeds and other crops. Against the average net cultivated area of 34.24 hectares during rabi, the net sown area increased to 34.80 lakh hectares this year.

Paddy was being cultivated in 9.71 lakh hectares and it was likely to increase.