Rabi Crop Sowing Surges Past 208 Lakh Hectares in India
India’s rabi crop sowing for the 2025–26 season has recorded strong momentum, crossing 208.19 lakh hectares as of 11 November 2025. According to fresh data released by the Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, the country has witnessed significant increases in sowing across major rabi crops, particularly wheat, pulses, and oilseeds. The latest sowing figures mark an impressive 19.46 lakh hectare increase over the corresponding period of 2024–25.
The early arrival of winter, combined with favourable soil moisture levels from the monsoon withdrawal, has contributed to the accelerated pace of sowing across major agricultural states. Farmers have shown renewed enthusiasm for expanding wheat and oilseed acreage due to robust market demand and supportive government procurement policies.
Wheat, India’s dominant rabi grain, has recorded 66.23 lakh hectares of sowing – a steep rise from last year’s 56.55 lakh hectares. The 9.68 lakh hectare increase underscores improved field conditions and strong price expectations driven by higher minimum support prices (MSP).
Key wheat-growing states such as Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, and Rajasthan have reported brisk sowing as temperature and moisture conditions align perfectly for early-season planting.
Pulses Record Strong Growth with 52.82 Lakh Hectares
Pulses have shown notable progress, covering 52.82 lakh hectares, up from 48.93 lakh hectares last year – a rise of 3.88 lakh hectares. This rebound is crucial for India’s food security, particularly for crops like gram (chana) and lentil, which dominate winter pulse cultivation.
Among the major pulse varieties:
- Gram increased to 37.43 lakh ha (up by 3.39 lakh ha)
- Lentil rose to 6.83 lakh ha
- Field pea reported 4.75 lakh ha
Some pulses like urad, moong, and lathyrus reported marginal declines, largely attributed to regional weather variations and crop rotation patterns.
Shri Anna & Coarse Cereals Expand to 15.53 Lakh Hectares
Millets and other coarse cereals – collectively promoted as Shri Anna – have continued to gain traction following India’s global millet outreach initiatives. The category recorded 15.53 lakh hectares, up by 2.04 lakh hectares from last year.
Jowar, maize, and barley showed strong growth, reflecting the rising domestic and export demand for nutrient-rich millet-based products.
Oilseed Sowing Surges Past 66 Lakh Hectares
Oilseed acreage has crossed a promising 66.17 lakh hectares, a marked improvement over last year’s 62.93 lakh hectares. Mustard remains the most dominant oilseed, accounting for 64.23 lakh hectares alone – an increase of 3.71 lakh hectares over 2024–25.
Government interventions such as higher MSPs, expanded procurement mechanisms, and farmer training on high-yield mustard varieties have contributed to the positive trend. Safflower and sunflower also recorded modest increases, while crops like groundnut and linseed saw slight reductions due to shifts in regional crop preferences.
Total Rabi Coverage Crosses 208.19 Lakh Hectares
Overall, India continues to strengthen its agricultural resilience with 208.19 lakh hectares brought under rabi cultivation this season. The gains reflect improved water availability, enhanced seed varieties, and steady government support through schemes such as PM-KISAN and the National Food Security Mission.