Rabi moong area up 8.2% on year at 182,800 ha.

Rabi moong acreage across the country was up 8.2% on year at 182,800 ha. The acreage, however, was lower than the five-year average of 207,300 ha for the rabi season so far. The area under moong rose as sowing picked up in Odisha, one of the major producers in the country. Rabi moong acreage in Odisha increased 10.2% on year to 88,300 ha. However, in Tamil Nadu, a major grower, the area under moong was down 4.5% on year at 36,000 ha. Sowing is yet to pick up in many blocks as rice harvest is not yet complete. Rice harvesting should be over by mid-January. Thereafter, we can see area of pulses picking up.