Kharif Sowing Sees Early Surge in Paddy, Pulses; Oilseeds and Jute Show Slight Dip
According to the ministry's figures, paddy transplantation has covered 13.22 lakh hectares across the country by June 20, marking a substantial increase of nearly 5 lakh hectares over the previous year. Similarly, the acreage for pulses has seen a healthy rise of 2.80 lakh hectares.
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The Union Ministry of Agriculture has released its latest data on Kharif crop sowing as of June 20, 2025, revealing a mixed but generally positive start to the season. While paddy and pulses show significant momentum, some crops like ragi, oilseeds, and jute have experienced a marginal decline. Overall, planting has occurred in approximately 13 lakh hectares more area compared to the same period last year.
According to the ministry's figures, paddy transplantation has covered 13.22 lakh hectares across the country by June 20, marking a substantial increase of nearly 5 lakh hectares over the previous year. Similarly, the acreage for pulses has seen a healthy rise of 2.80 lakh hectares. Total coarse cereals (Shree Anna) also show a positive jump of 3.25 lakh hectares, although there's a slight dip in the sowing of smaller millets.
However, the overall sowing of oilseeds has registered a minor decline. Against 5.49 lakh hectares sown last year during this period, only 5.38 lakh hectares have been covered so far this year, indicating a decrease of 0.11 lakh hectares.
Increase in Sugarcane and Cotton Cultivation
Sugarcane cultivation has expanded by 0.20 lakh hectares as of June 20. In contrast, jute and mesta have witnessed a decline of 0.17 lakh hectares. Compared to 5.62 lakh hectares last year, only 5.46 lakh hectares of jute and mesta have been sown this season. Cotton cultivation has shown strong growth, increasing by 2.14 lakh hectares. Sowing has reached 31.25 lakh hectares this year, up from 29.12 lakh hectares in the same period last year.
Pulses Show Broad Gains, Except Arhar
Within the pulses, most varieties have seen increased acreage, with the notable exception of Arhar (Pigeonpea), which recorded a decline of 0.13 lakh hectares. Conversely, Urad (Black Gram) sowing is up by 0.77 lakh hectares, Moong (Green Gram) by 1.77 lakh hectares, Kulthi (Horse Gram) by 0.01 lakh hectares, Mothbean by 0.11 lakh hectares, and other pulses by 0.27 lakh hectares.
As mentioned, Shree Anna (Coarse Cereals) collectively saw a surge of 3.25 lakh hectares, though Ragi showed a minor drop. Maize sowing increased by 2 percent.
Mixed Trends in Oilseeds
The Ministry also reported varied trends in other oilseeds. Groundnut acreage saw a slight decrease of 0.13 lakh hectares, and Soybean by 0.05 lakh hectares. However, Sunflower sowing registered a small increase of 0.02 lakh hectares, and Sesame cultivation also showed a marginal uptick. Castor sowing is slightly down compared to last year, and other oilseeds have shown no significant change in acreage during this period.
Progress of area coverage under kharif crops as on 20th June 2024. (Area: In lakh hectare)
|
S. No. |
Crop |
Normal Area (2019-20to2023-24) |
Area Sown |
Increase(+)/Decrease(-) over2024 |
|
|
|
2025 |
2024 |
|
||||
|
1 |
Rice |
403.09 |
13.22 |
8.37 |
4.86 |
|
|
2 |
Pulses |
129.61 |
9.44 |
6.63 |
2.80 |
|
|
a |
Arhar |
44.71 |
2.48 |
2.61 |
-0.13 |
|
|
b |
Urd bean |
32.64 |
1.39 |
0.62 |
0.77 |
|
|
c |
Moong bean |
35.69 |
4.43 |
2.67 |
1.77 |
|
|
d |
Kulthi |
1.72 |
0.08 |
0.07 |
0.01 |
|
|
e |
Mothbean |
9.70 |
0.11 |
0.00 |
0.11 |
|
|
f |
Other pulses |
5.15 |
0.94 |
0.67 |
0.27 |
|
|
3 |
Shri Anna cum Coarse cereals |
180.71 |
18.03 |
14.77 |
3.25 |
|
|
a |
Jowar |
15.07 |
1.51 |
0.90 |
0.61 |
|
|
b |
Bajra |
70.69 |
3.70 |
2.71 |
1.00 |
|
|
c |
Ragi |
11.52 |
0.03 |
0.32 |
-0.29 |
|
|
d |
Small millets |
4.48 |
0.47 |
0.55 |
-0.08 |
|
|
e |
Maize |
78.95 |
12.32 |
10.31 |
2.01 |
|
|
4 |
Oilseeds |
194.63 |
5.38 |
5.49 |
-0.11 |
|
|
a |
Groundnut |
45.10 |
1.78 |
1.91 |
-0.13 |
|
|
b |
Soybean |
127.19 |
3.07 |
3.12 |
-0.05 |
|
|
c |
Sunflower |
1.29 |
0.27 |
0.26 |
0.02 |
|
|
d |
Sesamum |
10.32 |
0.20 |
0.14 |
0.06 |
|
|
e |
Niger |
1.08 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
|
|
f |
Castor |
9.65 |
0.01 |
0.02 |
-0.01 |
|
|
g |
Other Oilseeds |
0.00 |
0.03 |
0.04 |
0.00 |
|
|
5 |
Sugarcane |
52.51 |
55.07 |
54.88 |
0.20 |
|
|
6 |
Jute & Mesta |
6.59 |
5.46 |
5.62 |
-0.17 |
|
|
7 |
Cotton |
129.50 |
31.25 |
29.12 |
2.14 |
|
|
Total |
1096.64 |
137.84 |
124.88 |
12.97 |
|
|
