According to the latest report from the Union Agriculture Ministry, the sowing of Kharif crops is nearly complete. The above figures are as of September 26. Compared to last year, the rice acreage has gone up from 435.68 lakh hectares to 441.58 lakh hectares, pulses from 118.95 lakh hectares to 119.85 lakh hectares, and coarse cereals from 182.66 lakh hectares to 194.67 lakh hectares. However, the oilseed acreage has declined from 200.52 lakh hectares to 190.01 lakh hectares.

In the cash or industrial crop category, sugarcane acreage rose from 57.22 lakh hectares last year to 59.07 lakh hectares this year, while cotton acreage dropped from 113 lakh hectares to 110 lakh hectares.

Compared to the previous week, the acreage under rice and other Kharif crops during the week ending September 26 showed only marginal or negligible changes, indicating that the sowing season is now complete, and the Rabi crop cycle will soon begin. Early-sown Kharif crops are already being harvested, and arrivals have started in various mandis, with momentum expected to pick up in October. However, late monsoon rains in some regions pose a risk of damaging mature crops. Kharif crops have already suffered considerable losses due to natural calamities, though in areas with normal rainfall, crop conditions are reported to be quite good.