Acreage for Sesame and Sunflower Increases; Sowing of Other Oilseeds Lags

07-Sep-2026 11:56 AM

New Delhi. Compared to last year, the national acreage for sesame and sunflower has increased during the current Kharif season, whereas the sowing area for soybean, castor, and groundnut has declined. Consequently, the total area under oilseed crops has decreased by 1.07 lakh hectares—from 193.06 lakh hectares last year to 191.99 lakh hectares this year—as of September 4.

According to official data, during the period under review, the area under groundnut slipped from 50.44 lakh hectares to 49.61 lakh hectares, soybean sowing area fell from 122.98 lakh hectares to 121.82 lakh hectares, and castor acreage dropped from 9.02 lakh hectares to 7.79 lakh hectares.

Conversely, during the same period, the area under sesame rose from 9.50 lakh hectares to 10.94 lakh hectares, and the sunflower sowing area surged from 64,000 hectares to 1.25 lakh hectares. The sowing process for oilseeds is now largely complete.

Sowing conditions for Kharif crops vary across different states. Overall, crop progress is satisfactory. While September rains may cause some damage to crops in certain areas, they are expected to benefit crops in others. Harvesting preparations for oilseed crops are likely to commence in the third or fourth week of the current month.