Rabi Sowing Crosses 96 pc of Normal Area, Wheat Sowing Stagnant, Pulses and Oilseeds Gain

India’s rabi sowing has crossed 96 percent of the normal area, with total coverage reaching 614.30 lakh hectares as of December 26, marginally higher than 607.39 lakh hectares a year ago, according to the latest Agriculture Ministry data.

Despite the year-on-year growth in acreage narrowing to about 1.14 percent, overall rabi coverage remains robust and well above long-term averages. The current sown area is more than 96 percent of the normal rabi acreage of 637.82 lakh hectares, based on the last five years’ average.

Wheat, the key rabi cereal, was planted over 322.68 lakh hectares, broadly in line with last year’s level and significantly higher than the normal area of 312.35 lakh hectares. Although wheat sowing has remained largely steady so far this season, scientists and officials expect acreage to potentially surpass last year’s record level of 328.04 lakh hectares, supported by favorable weather conditions. This has strengthened expectations of ample wheat supplies in the coming months.

Pulses acreage rose nearly 3 percent year-on-year to 133.44 lakh hectares. Chana (chickpea) sowing increased by over 5 percent, while masur (lentil) also edged higher, improving prospects for domestic pulse availability. Overall pulses coverage is now close to last year’s full-season level, even before the end of the sowing window.

Oilseeds acreage reached about 94.29 lakh hectares, up 1.11 percent from a year ago. Mustard continues to dominate oilseed sowing, covering nearly 87.80 lakh hectares and registering a year-on-year rise of around 1.42 percent. The steady expansion in mustard area has reinforced expectations of comfortable oilseed supplies.

Coarse cereals showed mixed trends during the season. Maize acreage rose by about 4 percent, while jowar recorded a decline. Paddy acreage during the rabi season increased sharply by around 14.5 percent, reflecting some diversification within winter cropping patterns.

Last year, rabi production was a record high for several crops, including wheat. In the 2024–25 rabi season, foodgrains output had reached a record 169.17 million tonnes, while oilseeds production stood at 13.64 million tonnes from an area of 659.39 lakh hectares.

Market analysts said rabi crop prices may remain under pressure in the near term as sowing activity concludes with strong acreage numbers across wheat, pulses and oilseeds.