The total area sown under rabi crops during the winter season has increased by 15.88 lakh hectares to 676.84 lakh hectares as of January 30 this year, compared to 660.96 lakh hectares last year. This rise is anticipated to enhance production, leading to increased farmer incomes and aiding in controlling food inflation. Notably, the area under wheat cultivation has grown by 6.13 lakh hectares to 334.17 lakh hectares from the previous year.
The sown area for pulses like urad, lentils (masur), gram, and moong has expanded by 5.03 lakh hectares to 139.55 lakh hectares from the same period last year. Additionally, the area dedicated to coarse cereals or millets such as jowar, bajra, and ragi has increased by 0.94 lakh hectares to 60.93 lakh hectares this season. Moreover, the area allocated for oilseeds like rapeseed and mustard has risen by 3.52 lakh hectares to 97.19 lakh hectares compared to last year.
The growth in sown area this season is attributed to favorable monsoon rains that have facilitated sowing in unirrigated regions, which constitute nearly half of the country’s farmland. In a related development, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) had approved an increase in the minimum support prices (MSP) for all mandated rabi crops for the 2026-27 marketing season to ensure profitable prices for farmers.
