Kharif Sowing Crosses 1,110 Lakh Hectares with Strong Gains in Rice, Maize

Key Highlights:

• Total Kharif sowing crosses 1,110.80 lakh hectares.

• Rice acreage rises by over 8 lakh hectares.

• Maize sowing grows by 10.5 lakh hectares.

• oilseed area drops by nearly 5 lakh hectares.

• Sugarcane remains higher, cotton slightly down.

India’s Kharif sowing for 2025 has crossed 1,110 lakh hectares, showing a healthy rise compared to last year. The increase is mainly driven by rice and maize acreage, while oilseeds and some pulses have declined.

Total Kharif Sowing Shows Growth

According to the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, the total area under Kharif crops has reached 1,110.80 lakh hectares as of September 12, 2025. This is nearly 15 lakh hectares more than the same period last year and well above the five-year average, indicating a steady and positive sowing season.

Rice Leads the Acreage Growth

Rice remains the largest Kharif crop, with 438.51 lakh hectares under cultivation — an increase of over 8 lakh hectares compared to last year. This steady rise highlights good rainfall distribution and farmer confidence.

Mixed Trends in Pulses

The area under pulses has slightly increased to 118.06 lakh hectares. However, trends within the category are mixed:

• Urad has expanded.

• Tur (Arhar) and Moong have seen slight declines.

Strong Gains in Coarse Cereals

Coarse cereals have covered 192.91 lakh hectares, registering a gain of more than 12 lakh hectares. Maize is the key contributor, with sowing up by around 10.5 lakh hectares, driven by rising demand for food, fodder, and industrial use.

Oilseeds Continue to Decline

The total area under oilseeds has dropped to 188.81 lakh hectares, about 5 lakh hectares lower than last year.

• Soybean is the major reason for the decline, slipping by nearly 6 lakh hectares.

• Groundnut has shown a small increase, but could not offset the overall drop.

Sugarcane Stable, Cotton Sees Slight Drop

Sugarcane continues its upward trend, standing at 57.31 lakh hectares, which is higher than last year and will support sugar and ethanol production. Cotton, along with jute and mesta, has seen a small decline compared to last year’s acreage.

Also Read: Soybean Crop Crisis: Farmers to Get Compensation After Field Surveys

CMV360 Says

India’s Kharif sowing season shows robust progress with strong growth in rice, maize, and coarse cereals. While oilseeds and cotton saw a decline, higher sugarcane acreage and good rainfall are likely to support production and farmer incomes.