Area Under Zaid Crops Rises to 86 Lakh Hectares

27-May-2026 04:47 PM

New Delhi: The latest data from the Union Ministry of Agriculture reveals that during the current year, the total cultivation area for summer or 'Zaid' season crops has expanded to 86.02 lakh hectares—an increase of 3.02 percent over last year's sown area of ​​83.50 lakh hectares.

Although the area under paddy cultivation declined from 32.42 lakh hectares to 31.05 lakh hectares during this period, the acreage for coarse cereals surged from 14.25 lakh hectares to 16.01 lakh hectares; the sown area for pulses improved from 27.26 lakh hectares to 27.91 lakh hectares; and the area dedicated to oilseed crops rose from 9.58 lakh hectares to 11.04 lakh hectares. The sowing of summer crops has now largely concluded.

According to available data, comparing the 2026 Zaid season with that of 2025, the sown area within the coarse cereals category saw Bajra (pearl millet) improve from 5.20 lakh hectares to 5.40 lakh hectares, while the acreage for Maize (corn) increased from 8.50 lakh hectares to 10.00 lakh hectares; cultivation of other coarse cereals was limited to smaller areas.

Among pulse crops, the cultivation area for Moong (green gram) declined from last year's 23.26 lakh hectares to settle at 23.01 lakh hectares this season; however, the sown area for Urad (black gram) expanded from 3.58 lakh hectares to reach 4.60 lakh hectares. Other pulse varieties were cultivated across limited areas.

As for oilseed crops, the cultivation area witnessed a significant surge, rising from 9.58 lakh hectares last year to reach 11.04 lakh hectares this season. Of this, the area under groundnut cultivation increased from 4.20 lakh hectares to 5.51 lakh hectares, while the area under sesame improved from 4.96 lakh hectares to reach 5.07 lakh hectares.

In the major producing regions, the crops sown during February are now maturing and becoming ready for harvest.