Kharif crop sowing increases by 1.9%

Due to normal to above-average monsoon rains in key agricultural states in the central, eastern, and southern regions, there was an increase in the sowing of paddy (4.29%), pulses (5.7%), and oilseeds (0.5%). About 106.5 million hectares area is now under cultivation.

According to the latest data by Agriculture Ministry, the sowing of kharif crop in India has increased by 1.9% compared to the previous year, with 106.5 million hectares (MH) under cultivation. This accounts for 97% of the normal sown area. 

The increase in sown area is attributed to normal to above-normal monsoon rains in key growing states across central, eastern, and southern regions. Overall, the monsoon rainfall this season has been 6.6% above the long-period average, with 74% of India’s districts receiving surplus to normal rainfall. The southern peninsula, in particular, has experienced 18% more rainfall than the benchmark. The southwest monsoon in India is currently active and advancing well, bringing substantial rainfall to various regions.

Significant increases in sowing have been noted for paddy (4.29%), pulses (5.7%), and oilseeds (0.5%). Pulses such as tur, urad, and moong have been sown on 12.21 MH, which is a 5.7% increase from last year and is expected to boost production in the 2024-25 season. The area under oilseeds, including groundnut, soybean, and sunflower, has increased to 18.83 MH. The increased oilseeds output in the current kharif season, along with prospects for a higher output in the next rabi season due to adequate soil moisture, may reduce India’s dependence on edible oil imports.

Sugarcane sowing has been completed on 5.76 MH, which is higher than the normal sown area. However, cotton sowing has decreased by 9.2% to 11.13 MH, covering 86% of the average area for the last five years. 

The agriculture ministry aims to achieve a record food grains production of 340 million tonnes (MT) in the 2024-25 crop year (July-June), which is a 3.4% increase from the 328.8 MT estimated for the previous year. This target comprises 159.97 MT from the kharif season, 164 MT from the rabi season, and 16.43 MT from the summer season.