Government farm-friendly policies have brought more area under cultivation during the current Rabi season. <br />''<br />''Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Ministry said, as of yesterday, December 23, the area sown under rabi crops has increased from over 594 lakh hectares in 2021-22 to over 620 lakh hectares in 2022-23. This is around 26 lakh hectares more compared to the corresponding period last year.<br />'' <br />''The Ministry said, the government is implementing many national programmes to increase the production of deficit commodities like oilseeds and pulses besides ensuring food security. <br />''<br />''The overall strategy is to sustain food security, reduce import dependency and utilize emerging opportunities in agricultural exports. It said, the timely supply of quality seeds of high-yielding varieties, the latest production technologies, crop insurance, micro-irrigation, and post-harvest facilities have increased agricultural production and productivity. <br />