Kharif Acreage at 1074 Lakh Hectares, But Output Uncertain
28-Aug-2025 04:07 PM
New Delhi. Although the weekly data of the Union Agriculture Ministry shows that till 22nd August this year, the production area under Kharif crops at the national level has increased to 1074 lakh hectares,
which is 35.40 lakh hectares more than the sown area of 1038.60 lakh hectares during the same period last year and only 22.65 lakh hectares less than the five-year average area of 1096.65 lakh hectares, but due to heavy monsoon rains and severe floods due to rising water level in rivers in some other states including Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan,
Punjab, Bihar and Gujarat, fields in a large area have been submerged and crops have drowned in it. There is also a possibility of considerable damage to Kharif crops due to water logging in the fields for a long time.
In comparison to last year, during the current Kharif season, paddy production area jumped by 29.60 lakh hectares from 390.80 lakh hectares to 420.40 lakh hectares,
area under pulses improved from 111.42 lakh hectares to 112.77 lakh hectares and sowing area of coarse cereals increased from 175.95 lakh hectares to 187.10 lakh hectares. But the area under oilseed crops decreased from 187.65 lakh hectares last year and got stuck at 182.40 lakh hectares this time.
In the category of cash or industrial crops, sugarcane production area increased from 55.70 lakh hectares to 57.30 lakh hectares, but sowing area of cotton decreased from 111.40 lakh hectares and got stuck at 108.45 lakh hectares. Cultivation of Kharif crops is still going on.
According to the Meteorological Department, the monsoon rains are likely to continue in many states of the country, which can cause a lot of damage to Kharif crops, especially pulses, oilseeds and cotton crops, because these crops are more sensitive to waterlogging in the fields.
Paddy and coarse grains are relatively strong, so they can withstand adverse weather for a longer period. Sugarcane crops are also likely to be affected by prolonged waterlogging. Until the rains stop, there will be a lot of uncertainty in the production of Kharif crops.