India’s Kharif Sowing Up 4% Y-o-Y, Covers 76% of Normal Area

India’s kharif sowing has gained momentum with farmers covering nearly 82.94 million hectares as of 25 July 2025, marking a 4% increase from 79.77 million hectares during the same period last year, according to data released by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. This accounts for 76% of the normal kharif area of 109.62 million hectares.

The early and favourable progress of the southwest monsoon, which delivered 440 mm rainfall so far—8% above normal—has supported sowing across key agricultural belts.

Among the major crops, paddy—India’s staple kharif food grain—saw a robust 13.4% rise in acreage to 24.51 million hectares. Pulses acreage also increased, reaching 9.3 million hectares (up 3.5%), despite a significant 8.15% drop in tur area and a 6.75% decline in urad. Notably, moong acreage rose 16% to 3.06 million hectares.

Coarse cereals recorded a 3.71% rise to 16.1 million hectares, driven primarily by an 8.44% increase in maize acreage. However, crops like ragi saw a sharp 22% drop in coverage.

In the oilseeds, the total area dipped 2% to 16.7 million hectares, primarily due to a 3.85% fall in soybean and a 5.24% fall in sunflower sowing, although groundnut acreage rose marginally.

Cotton acreage fell 2.25% to 10.3 million hectares, while sugarcane sowing remained largely steady at 5.52 million hectares.