Coarse Cereal Acreage Rises on Higher Maize Sowing

27-Aug-2025 03:43 PM

New Delhi. During the current Kharif season, compared to last year, the production area of ​​coarse cereals has increased by 11.19 lakh hectares from 175.93 lakh hectares to 187.12 lakh hectares, which is more than the five-year average area of ​​180.71 lakh hectares.

Under this, there has been a great increase of 9.76 lakh hectares in the sowing area of ​​maize, while the area of ​​millet and ragi has also increased slightly.

Data from the Union Agriculture Ministry shows that compared to last year, the area under kharif jowar slipped from 13.98 lakh hectares to 13.90 lakh hectares, but the area under millet improved from 66.90 lakh hectares to 67.20 lakh hectares,

area under ragi increased from 7.27 lakh hectares to 7.99 lakh hectares and maize production area jumped from 83.58 lakh hectares to a peak of 93.34 lakh hectares. The area under other small millets increased from 4.20 lakh hectares last year to 4.68 lakh hectares this time.

A tremendous increase in maize production area was already expected this time because due to a huge increase in its domestic demand and consumption, farmers were getting attractive income.

The normal average area under maize has been estimated to be 78.95 lakh hectares this time, while the actual area has reached much above this.

The consumption of maize in the ethanol industry is increasing rapidly while its demand is also increasing in other traditional consumer areas.

This time, compared to last year, the sowing area of ​​maize has increased in most of the major producing states of the country and generally the condition of the crop is being reported to be normal.

There are reports of some damage to the crop due to heavy rains and floods in some areas, but in view of the better condition of the crop in other areas, the total production is expected to be more than last year. Harvesting and preparation of maize crop will start from the coming October.