With reference to the cultivation of Kharif crops in India in the last five years, consider the following statements: 1. Area under rice cultivation is the highest. 2. Area under the cultivation of jowar is more than that of oilseeds. 3. Area of cotton cultivation is more than that of sugarcane. 4. Area under sugarcane cultivation has steadily decreased. Which of the statements given above are correct?

Let's analyze each statement with reference to the cultivation of Kharif crops in India in the last five years (prior to 2018): 1. Area under rice cultivation is the highest. This statement is correct. Rice is the most important and widely cultivated Kharif crop in India, occupying the largest area under cultivation among all crops, particularly Kharif crops. 2. Area under the cultivation of jowar is more than that of oilseeds. This statement is incorrect. The area under oilseeds (like soybean, groundnut, castor, sunflower, etc.) cultivation during the Kharif season is significantly larger than the area under jowar (sorghum) cultivation. India is a major oilseed producer and also a significant importer of edible oils. 3. Area of cotton cultivation is more than that of sugarcane. This statement is correct. Historically and in recent trends, the area under cotton cultivation in India has generally been more than the area under sugarcane cultivation. Both are important cash crops, but cotton generally occupies a larger acreage. 4. Area under sugarcane cultivation has steadily decreased. This statement is incorrect. The area under sugarcane cultivation in India has not shown a steady decrease. It fluctuates based on factors like rainfall, pricing, and government policies, but there hasn't been a consistent decline over the last five years; in some periods, it has even seen an increase. Therefore, statements 1 and 3 are correct.