After Rabi, sowing of summer crops has begun

19-Feb-2026 08:04 PM

New Delhi. After the completion of Rabi season sowing, cultivation of summer or Zaid season crops has begun, and despite a slight decrease in the area under paddy, its overall area is ahead of last year.

According to official data, the total area under Zaid crops during the current year increased by 3 percent or 40 thousand hectares from 14.80 lakh hectares to 15.20 lakh hectares compared to last year. Interestingly, the area under paddy decreased by 40 thousand hectares from 13.20 lakh hectares during the same period to 12.80 lakh hectares, but the total area increased due to the increase in the sowing area of ​​pulses, oilseeds, and coarse grains.

During the Zaid season, selected crops in the pulses, oilseeds, and coarse grains categories are cultivated in limited states of the country. The pulses category includes mung bean and black gram, oilseeds include peanuts and sesame, and coarse grains include maize and millet. These are sown in February-March, and harvesting begins in June, before the monsoon or Kharif season.