Rabi acreage declines 3%, may hit overall 2023-24 foodgrain output

Overall rabi crop acreage declines by over 3% due to below-normal rainfall causing moisture deficit in soil and decreased water storage in reservoirs impacting foodgrain output. Wheat and pulses witness a decline in acreage by 3% and 8% respectively. However, oilseeds maintain pace with a 1 lakh hectare increase compared to last year. The focus on oilseeds aims to reduce import bills. Late harvesting of kharif crops and crop diversification contribute to the decrease in pulses acreage.