《》Net sown area is the total area sown with crops and orchards. It represents an area in which total crops are grown only once in a year......
••••. Gross cropped area is the total area sown with crops and and orchards once or more in a year. It also include the net sown area.......

Net Sown Area:
Net sown area (NSA) is the total area of land under cultivation for the purpose of growing crops. It is the actual area sown with crops and excludes fallow land. Net sown area is an important agricultural indicator as it provides information on the overall productivity of land. The NSA is calculated by subtracting the area left fallow from the total cultivable land in a particular region.

Gross Cropped Area:
Gross cropped area (GCA) is the total area where crops are sown in a particular season, including the area left fallow. It is the total area under cultivation, irrespective of whether it is sown or not. Gross cropped area includes the net sown area plus the area left fallow during a particular season.

Difference between Net Sown Area and Gross Cropped Area:
The main difference between net sown area and gross cropped area is that the former refers to the actual area under cultivation for growing crops while the latter refers to the total area where crops are sown, including the area left fallow. The net sown area is always less than the gross cropped area as it excludes the area left fallow.

Importance of Net Sown Area and Gross Cropped Area:
Net sown area and gross cropped area are important agricultural indicators as they provide information on the productivity of land. The net sown area helps in estimating the amount of land available for cultivation and the gross cropped area provides information on the total area where crops are sown, including the area left fallow. These indicators are used by policymakers and planners to make informed decisions regarding crop production, food security, and land use planning.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, net sown area and gross cropped area are important agricultural indicators that provide information on the productivity of land. The net sown area is the actual area under cultivation for growing crops while the gross cropped area is the total area where crops are sown, including the area left fallow. These indicators are useful for policymakers and planners in making informed decisions regarding crop production, food security, and land use planning.