MP Sees Drop in Total Sown Area Despite Wheat, Pulse Gains

17-Dec-2025 11:58 AM

Bhopal. Although Madhya Pradesh, a leading agricultural producing state in the country, is witnessing an increase in the area sown with wheat, gram, lentils, and peas compared to last year, the total area under Rabi crops is lagging behind by about 5 lakh hectares due to a decrease in the area under other crops, including mustard.

According to official figures, the total area under Rabi crops in Madhya Pradesh reached only 120.20 lakh hectares by December 12 this year,

which is about 4.90 lakh hectares less than the 125.12 lakh hectares sown during the same period last year and 18.65 lakh hectares less than the five-year average of 138.85 lakh hectares.

Data from the Agriculture Department shows that compared to last year, the area under wheat in Madhya Pradesh during the current Rabi season increased from 81.86 lakh hectares to 83.52 lakh hectares,

the area under gram increased from 14.00 lakh hectares to 14.81 lakh hectares, the area under lentils increased from 5.00 lakh hectares to 5.77 lakh hectares, and the area under peas improved from 2.60 lakh hectares to 2.90 lakh hectares.

On the other hand, surprisingly, the area under mustard, the most important oilseed crop, has decreased from 12.17 lakh hectares last year to 11.49 lakh hectares this year.

Since May this year, the wholesale market price of mustard has been significantly higher than the government's minimum support price, resulting in excellent income for farmers, yet the area under this oilseed is declining.

For the current Rabi season, the Madhya Pradesh Agriculture Department has set a target of 96.81 lakh hectares for wheat cultivation.

In addition, targets have been set for sowing 17.28 lakh hectares of gram, 6.36 lakh hectares of lentils, 3.30 lakh hectares of peas, and 12.33 lakh hectares of mustard.

It is expected that the area under cultivation for all these crops will reach their respective targets. The sowing process is still underway there.