Maharashtra Kharif Acreage 2.29 Lakh ha Below Last Year
09-Oct-2025 12:09 PM
Mumbai. Maharashtra has not only seen a decrease in total Kharif crop sowing this year, but has also suffered significant losses due to natural disasters like floods and rains.
Consequently, Kharif production in the state is expected to decline. Latest data from the state agriculture department shows that the total Kharif crop acreage in Maharashtra reached 143.53 lakh hectares as of October 6th, a decrease of 2.29 lakh hectares from the 145.82 lakh hectares sown during the same period last year. The Kharif crop sowing campaign in the state has ended.
According to available official data, the area under cereal crops in Maharashtra increased from 32.48 lakh hectares to 34.69 lakh hectares during the current Kharif season compared to last year, but the area under pulses, oilseeds, and cotton decreased.
In the category of cereal crops, the area under paddy production was 15.19 lakh hectares, which is almost equal to last year's area of 15.21 lakh hectares. However, the area under maize cultivation jumped from 11.22 lakh hectares last year to 14.53 lakh hectares this time.
On the other hand, the area under sorghum fell from 1.05 lakh hectares to 83 thousand hectares and the area under millet fell from 3.99 lakh hectares to 3.23 lakh hectares. Farmers have shown tremendous interest in maize cultivation.
The area under pulse crops production fell from 19.20 lakh hectares to 18.85 lakh hectares. Under this, although the production area of Arhar (Tuvar) improved from 12.23 lakh hectares to 12.26 lakh hectares, the sowing area of Moong decreased from 2.37 lakh hectares to 2.11 lakh hectares,
the area of Urad decreased from 3.89 lakh hectares to 3.78 lakh hectares and the area of other pulses slipped from 71 thousand hectares to 69 thousand hectares.
Among oilseed crops, the production area of soybean decreased from 51.59 lakh hectares last year to 49.95 lakh hectares this time and the sowing area of groundnut decreased from 1.48 lakh hectares to 1.37 lakh hectares to 38.53 lakh hectares.
According to official sources, Kharif crops on 68.70 lakh hectares have been damaged due to extremely heavy rains and floods in Maharashtra.