The total area sown under rabi crops during the winter season has increased by 20.88 lakh hectares to 652.33 lakh hectares as of January 16 this year, compared to 631.45 lakh hectares last year. This rise in sown area is anticipated to enhance production, leading to increased farmer incomes and aiding in controlling food inflation.
Official data reveals that the area under wheat cultivation has grown by 6.13 lakh hectares to 334.17 lakh hectares from the previous year’s 328.04 lakh hectares. Additionally, the area dedicated to pulses like Urd, Lentils (Masur), gram, and Moong has expanded by 3.82 lakh hectares to 137 lakh hectares from 133.18 lakh hectares in the same period last year.
Moreover, the area allocated to coarse cereals and millets such as jowar, bajra, and ragi has seen a rise of 2.79 lakh hectares to 58.72 lakh hectares this season, compared to 55.93 lakh hectares in the previous year. The cultivation area for oilseeds like rapeseed and mustard has also increased by 3.53 lakh hectares to 96.86 lakh hectares from 93.33 lakh hectares last year.
The increase 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. Additionally, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) 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.
