Wheat sowing area crosses 34 million hectares, pulses lags: Govt data

Current Context: According to the latest data from the agriculture ministry, the sowing of wheat has crossed the physiological benchmark of 34 million hectares.

• This is a significant increase compared to the previous year, with the main rabi (winter) crop sowing being completed.
• The top three states with the maximum area under wheat coverage are Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Punjab.
• However, the coverage of pulses has lagged behind. 
• Pulses have been sown in 15.51 million hectares in the 2023-24 rabi season, down from 16.26 million hectares in the previous year. 
• The area under gram, urad, and moong has remained lower.
• Despite the lag in pulses coverage, the overall area under all rabi crops is at 687.18 lakh hectares for the 2023-34 rabi season.
• This is slightly lower compared to 689.09 lakh hectares in the year-ago period.
• Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda expressed hope that production is expected to be good this year due to higher coverage.

Question:

Q.1 Which of the following states has the maximum area under wheat coverage?
a. Uttar Pradesh
b. Madhya Pradesh
c. Punjab
d. Haryana