Kharif Sowing Hits 1,039 Lakh Hectares in 2025; Rice, Maize Surge, Oilseeds and Cotton Decline

Key Highlights

• Kharif sowing reached 1,039.81 lakh hectares, up by 37.39 lakh hectares.

• Rice acreage rose sharply to 398.59 lakh hectares.

• Maize increased by 9.82 lakh hectares, driving cereal growth.

• Oilseeds fell by 6.74 lakh hectares; cotton declined by 3.24 lakh hectares.

• Sugarcane expanded to 57.31 lakh hectares, showing strong gains.

The Kharif sowing season in India has made significant progress this year, with the total area covered reaching 1,039.81 lakh hectares as of August 15, 2025, according to data from the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. This marks an increase of 37.39 lakh hectares compared to the 1,002.41 lakh hectares recorded during the same period last year.

Rice Leads the Growth

Rice continues to dominate Kharif sowing, with acreage expanding sharply to 398.59 lakh hectares, up from 362.92 lakh hectares in 2024. This surge of 35.67 lakh hectares has been one of the biggest contributors to the overall rise, supported by favorable monsoon conditions in key rice-growing states.

Gains in Coarse Cereals and Pulses

Coarse cereals also showed strong growth, covering 182.34 lakh hectares, an increase of 9.12 lakh hectares from last year. Within this group, maize stood out, with sowing rising by 9.82 lakh hectares, making it a major driver of growth.

Pulses reported a smaller but positive increase, reaching 109.52 lakh hectares, compared to 108.39 lakh hectares in 2024, adding 1.14 lakh hectares.

Decline in Oilseeds and Cotton

Not all crops followed the upward trend. Oilseeds saw a significant dip, with coverage shrinking to 178.64 lakh hectares against 185.38 lakh hectares last year, marking a drop of 6.74 lakh hectares. Major oilseeds like groundnut, sesamum, soybean, sunflower, and niger seed declined, though castor seed gained 1.21 lakh hectares.

Cotton cultivation also fell, with acreage slipping to 107.87 lakh hectares, down by 3.24 lakh hectares from last year. Similarly, jute and mesta recorded a marginal decline, covering 5.54 lakh hectares compared to 5.72 lakh hectares in 2024.

Sugarcane Emerges as a Strong Performer

Among cash crops, sugarcane emerged as a bright spot, with its sowing area rising to 57.31 lakh hectares, higher by 1.64 lakh hectares compared to the previous year.

Outlook for the Season

With sowing still continuing in many regions, the final figures for Kharif 2025 are expected to undergo further revisions in the coming weeks. The strong performance of rice and maize has boosted overall acreage, but the decline in oilseeds and cotton remains a concern for farmers and policymakers.

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CMV360 Says

Kharif sowing in 2025 has seen strong growth, led by rice and maize, supported by a good monsoon. While pulses and sugarcane also showed positive trends, oilseeds and cotton reported declines. With sowing still ongoing, final acreage numbers may rise further, shaping the overall crop outlook and providing crucial insights for India’s food security and rural economy.