Lentil Cultivation Area Exceeds Average

24-Dec-2025 09:29 PM

New Delhi. Sowing of lentils, the second most important pulse crop of the Rabi season after chickpeas, is progressing at a normal pace.

The government is encouraging farmers to increase the area under lentil cultivation and production by significantly increasing the Minimum Support Price (MSP) and guaranteeing procurement, but it does not seem to be achieving much success in this regard, as imports of cheap lentils from abroad continue regularly.

According to official data, the area under lentil cultivation in the current Rabi season reached 15.76 lakh hectares by December 19, 2025, which is 8,000 hectares less than the 15.84 lakh hectares sown during the same period last year.

The five-year average area for lentils in the current Rabi season was set at 15.13 lakh hectares, against which the actual area had reached 17 lakh hectares, but this year the sown area is 1.23 lakh hectares behind.

In top producing states like Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal, lentil sowing has either been completed or is in its final stages.

Limited sowing is taking place in other smaller producing states. The Bundelkhand region bordering Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh is considered the most important producing area for lentils and peas, but this time farmers there are showing a greater inclination towards other Rabi crops.

A mere 10 percent customs duty is levied on lentil imports, while excellent production in Canada, Australia, and the Black Sea region has softened global prices.