Key Factors Drive Rise in Paddy, Maize, and Moong Acreage
30-Jul-2025 04:27 PM
New Delhi. During the current Kharif season, compared to last year, a huge increase is being seen in the production area of paddy, maize and moong at the national level, while there are signs of marginal increase, stability or decline in the sowing area of other crops. This time the farmers have shown foresight in the selection of crops.
They know that the minimum support price will definitely be received for the entire marketable quantity of paddy and the market of maize will also remain strong in the future as there will be tremendous demand for it in ethanol production.
The minimum support price of moong is already at a very high level and its wholesale market price also remains at a profitable level for the farmers.
The inflation rate in maize and its products increased from 5.29 percent in July 2024 to 7.21 percent in July 2025. In April 2025, it had reached above 8 percent but later it fell down a bit. Maize cultivation has now become quite popular among farmers because its wholesale market price is often higher than the government support price and farmers do not have to struggle to sell their produce at a profitable price.
Traditional consumer industries as well as ethanol manufacturing also show great enthusiasm in its purchase. Due to the excellent returns that farmers get, their enthusiasm and attraction towards maize cultivation has naturally increased.
Data from the Union Agriculture Ministry shows that compared to last year, during the current Kharif season till July 25, paddy production area in the country jumped by 29 lakh hectares from 216.15 lakh hectares to 245.15 lakh hectares and maize sowing area increased by 6.70 lakh hectares from 78.90 lakh hectares to 85.60 lakh hectares.
Similarly, the area of moong also increased by 4.25 lakh hectares from 26.35 lakh hectares last year to 30.60 lakh hectares this time.
The paddy plantation will continue for a long time, due to which its area will keep expanding regularly. It seems that the government's effort to reduce the paddy area is not proving effective and the farmers are not ready to fall into any temptation.
The important thing is that this time the country is receiving good rains of the southwest monsoon, which is necessary for paddy cultivation.
The Meteorological Department has issued an alert of heavy rains in many states. The area sown under maize has gone beyond the five-year average area, while the area under moong has come very close to it.