Good News for Farmers: Kharif Crop Sowing Area Jumps by Nearly 27 Lakh Hectares This Season
Farmers in India are off to a strong start this kharif season, thanks to bumper sowing across key crops. As of September 5, the total area sown under kharif crops has climbed to 1,105.42 lakh hectares—an impressive rise of 26.93 lakh hectares from last year’s 1,078.49 lakh hectares. This boost comes from data shared by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare on Monday, and it spells great news for higher production, better farmer incomes, and steady food prices amid concerns over inflation.
What’s driving this growth? Better monsoon rains have made it easier to sow crops in unirrigated fields, which cover almost half of India’s farmland. These rains have turned the tide, helping farmers expand their planting without relying heavily on irrigation.
Let’s break down the stars of the show. Rice, a staple for millions, leads the pack with 438.28 lakh hectares sown so far this year. That’s a solid jump of 19.63 lakh hectares compared to 418.66 lakh hectares last year. Pulses like urad and moong are also thriving, with the sown area reaching 116.40 lakh hectares—up from 114.46 lakh hectares in the previous season. And don’t forget coarse cereals or millets such as jowar, bajra, and ragi; their coverage has surged by 12.09 lakh hectares to 191.71 lakh hectares.
Even cash crops are joining the party. Sugarcane fields now span 57.31 lakh hectares, marking an increase of 1.64 lakh hectares over last year. This wider sowing could mean more yield from kharif crops like rice, pulses, millets, and sugarcane, keeping food inflation in check while putting more money in farmers’ pockets.
Adding to the positive vibes, the government has farmers’ backs with smart policies. Back on May 28, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved higher Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for 14 kharif crops for the 2025-26 marketing season. The goal? Ensure fair prices and encourage more production to support Indian agriculture.
The biggest MSP hikes include Rs 820 per quintal for nigerseed, Rs 596 for ragi, Rs 589 for cotton, and Rs 579 for sesamum. These steps show the government’s commitment to boosting kharif crop production and helping farmers thrive.
With monsoon rains cooperating and supportive MSP policies in place, this kharif season looks promising for India’s agriculture sector. Stay tuned for updates on how these trends play out!
