Rabi sowing: Farmers prefer wheat as pulses and oilseeds suffer price setbacks

Farmers are increasingly turning to wheat, the main crop of the Rabi season, while the sowing of pulses and oilseeds has lagged behind last year. By December 20, 93 percent of the normal area for Rabi sowing had been covered across the country. Rabi sowing began late due to above normal temperature in November. The delayed onset of winter has extended the Rabi sowing season. Recent rains and a drop in temperature have proven beneficial for wheat.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, by 20 December, Rabi crops were sown on a total area of 590.82 lakh hectares in the country, slightly less than last year’s 590.97 lakh hectares. The area under wheat cultivation increased by 2.46 percent to 312.28 lakh hectares, while the sowing of pulses decreased by 1.25 lakh hectares and oilseeds by 5.67 lakh hectares. Farmers have shifted their preference toward wheat due to higher prices and inadequate returns for pulses and oilseeds.

The central government has set the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for wheat at ₹2,425 per quintal for the Rabi marketing season 2024–25, while market prices for wheat have risen to ₹3,000–3,200 per quintal. In Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, state governments offered bonuses over the MSP for wheat purchases last season. Meanwhile, major oilseed crops such as mustard and soybean prices have fallen below the MSP. Similarly, several pulse crops have not fetched favourable prices, with moong prices remaining below the MSP, causing difficulties for farmers during government procurement. This has led to growing farmer disillusionment with pulses and oilseeds.

Unlike paddy and wheat, assured procurement for oilseeds and pulses is lacking, reducing farmer interest in these crops. This shift threatens efforts to achieve self-sufficiency in pulses and edible oils.

Decline in Oilseed Cultivation

As of December 20, Rabi oilseed crops were sown over 95.22 lakh hectares, a decline of 5.62 percent compared to the same period last year. Mustard sowing saw the largest drop at 5.58 percent, while groundnut sowing decreased by 7.38 percent. The mustard area fell from 93.73 lakh hectares to 88.50 lakh hectares, and groundnut area dropped from 3.12 lakh hectares to 2.89 lakh hectares. This comes despite approximately 60 percent of domestic edible oil consumption being met through imports.

Decline in Pulse Cultivation

The area under Rabi pulse cultivation declined by about 1 percent, from 126.89 lakh hectares last year to 125.64 lakh hectares, compared to an average of 140.44 lakh hectares. Cheap imports have caused domestic pulse prices to remain below the MSP, discouraging farmers.

Among pulses, only gram has recorded an increase in area compared to last year. Gram prices exceeded the MSP in the previous season. However, the sowing area for Rabi moong decreased from 1.52 lakh hectares to 52,000 hectares, and urad from 4.28 lakh hectares to 3.58 lakh hectares. Gram sowing increased by about 2 percent to 86 lakh hectares, while lentil sowing decreased by 4 percent to 17.06 lakh hectares.

Reduction in Coarse Cereal Area

The area under coarse cereals in the Rabi season fell from 46.01 lakh hectares last year to 44.84 lakh hectares. Despite strong demand for ethanol production, maize sowing declined by 4.1 percent, and barley sowing dropped by 17.42 percent to 6.62 lakh hectares. However, the area under jowar increased by approximately 4 percent to 21.43 lakh hectares.