Mixed trend in sowing area of various Kharif crops in Karnataka
17-Jun-2025 04:46 PM
Bangalore. Although the total production area of Kharif crops in Karnataka, an important agricultural producing state of South India, increased by 20 thousand hectares from 20.22 lakh hectares last year to 20.42 lakh hectares till June 13 this year, the sowing area of some crops has increased while others have declined.
According to the latest weekly data from the Karnataka Agriculture Department, as of June 13, 2025, the production area of paddy in the state decreased from 43 thousand hectares to 33 thousand hectares compared to the same period in 2024.
However, the area under sorghum improved from 28 thousand hectares to 31 thousand hectares, millet sowing increased from 26 thousand hectares to 30 thousand hectares, and the area of maize jumped from 5.68 lakh hectares to 6.37 lakh hectares.
As a result, the total production area of grain crops increased from 6.84 lakh hectares last year to 7.43 lakh hectares this year.
The production area of pulse crops declined by 30 thousand hectares, dropping from 4.91 lakh hectares last year to 4.61 lakh hectares this year.
Under this category, the area of arhar (tuvar) fell from 1.65 lakh hectares to 1.12 lakh hectares, and urad from 38 thousand hectares to 37 thousand hectares, although the area of moong improved from 2.47 lakh hectares to 2.54 lakh hectares.
The total production area of oilseed crops increased by 8 thousand hectares, rising from 1.92 lakh hectares last year to 2.00 lakh hectares this year.
Within this category, the groundnut sowing area declined from 57 thousand hectares to 36 thousand hectares, while sesame increased from 7 thousand hectares to 12 thousand hectares, sunflower from 25 thousand hectares to 27 thousand hectares, and soybean from 1.01 lakh hectares to 1.24 lakh hectares.
However, the production area of cotton decreased by 15 thousand hectares, falling from last year's 1.59 lakh hectares to 1.44 lakh hectares this year.
This year, the target for total Kharif crop sowing in Karnataka has been set at 82.50 lakh hectares, of which sowing has already been completed on 20.42 lakh hectares.