Rabi Rice Cultivation Area Exceeds Last Year's Figures

13-Jan-2026 05:16 PM

New Delhi. While the new Kharif rice crop is arriving in the southern states, cultivation of the Rabi rice crop is also underway.

Although approximately 75-80 percent of the national rice production occurs during the Kharif season, the Rabi crop is considered quite important for states like Telangana. Rice cultivation is expected to continue in the southern states until the end of the current month.

Data from the Union Ministry of Agriculture shows that the total area under rice cultivation during the current Rabi season reached 21.71 lakh hectares by January 9, 2025, which is 2.22 lakh hectares more than the 19.49 lakh hectares sown during the same period last year.

However, this figure is still far behind the five-year average area of ​​42.93 lakh hectares and the total area of ​​44.73 lakh hectares cultivated during the last Rabi season.

The Union Ministry of Agriculture has set a target of 158.60 lakh tonnes of rice production for the 2025-26 Rabi season, while Kharif season production is estimated to reach a new record level of 124.5 million tonnes.

Government procurement of the Kharif rice crop is showing a good increase, which will naturally lead to a significant increase in rice stocks in the central pool.

It is worth noting that a large stock of rice is already present in government warehouses, and its off-take is observed to be slow.

The price of common non-Basmati rice is currently high, and farmers are receiving good returns. As a result, their enthusiasm and interest in Rabi rice cultivation remain strong.

Sowing will continue until the end of January, while harvesting of the new crop will begin in April. This rice will also be procured at the Minimum Support Price for the central pool.