Despite lacklusture progress of monsoon, kharif sowing across the country has shown a positive trend with the total area covered under kharif crops reaching 119.90 lakh hectares as on June 19, 2026, compared with 117.95 lakh hectares during the corresponding period last year, according to data released by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. This represents an increase of 1.95 lakh hectares.
The expansion in acreage has been led primarily by rice, pulses and Shree Anna (coarse cereals), indicating a favourable start to the kharif season amid advancing southwest monsoon conditions in several agricultural regions.
Rice Acreage Rises Sharply
Rice sowing has recorded the highest increase among major crops. Area under paddy stood at 12.36 lakh hectares, compared with 8.09 lakh hectares during the same period last year, registering a substantial increase of 4.26 lakh hectares. The increase suggests improved planting activity in key rice-growing states following the onset of monsoon rains.
Pulses and Coarse Cereals Register Healthy Growth
Area under pulses increased to 7.21 lakh hectares from 6.39 lakh hectares a year ago, an increase of 0.83 lakh hectares.
Within pulses, moongbean recorded the strongest growth, rising to 4.08 lakh hectares from 2.86 lakh hectares last year. Arhar acreage also witnessed a marginal increase.
Shree Anna and coarse cereals registered a significant expansion, with total coverage reaching 12.43 lakh hectares, compared with 9.82 lakh hectares during the corresponding period of 2025, an increase of 2.61 lakh hectares.
Among coarse cereals, bajra acreage nearly doubled to 4.05 lakh hectares from 2.14 lakh hectares, while maize area increased to 5.69 lakh hectares from 5.34 lakh hectares.
Oilseeds Mixed, Soybean Declines
Total area under oilseeds stood at 7.24 lakh hectares, slightly lower than 8.11 lakh hectares recorded a year ago, reflecting a decline of 0.87 lakh hectares.
While groundnut acreage increased marginally to 5.25 lakh hectares, soybean sowing declined sharply to 1.30 lakh hectares from 2.50 lakh hectares during the same period last year. Sunflower acreage, however, recorded a modest increase.
Cotton Area Falls, Sugarcane Expands
Cotton emerged as the major crop showing a significant decline in sowing area. Cotton acreage stood at 17.13 lakh hectares, compared with 22.82 lakh hectares last year, a decrease of 5.69 lakh hectares. In contrast, sugarcane coverage increased marginally to 57.31 lakh hectares from 56.64 lakh hectares, while jute and mesta area also rose slightly to 6.22 lakh hectares from 6.09 lakh hectares.