Sorghum Sowing Decreases, But Maize and Barley Area Increases

06-Jan-2026 08:42 PM

New Delhi. Despite a good increase in the Minimum Support Price (MSP), sorghum sowing has decreased in the current Rabi season, while the area under maize, barley, and ragi has increased significantly. 

This has led to an overall increase in the total area under Rabi coarse grains/millets, reaching 51.79 lakh hectares, which is 1.13 lakh hectares more than the 50.66 lakh hectares sown during the same period last year, but less than the five-year average area of ​​55.33 lakh hectares.

Furthermore, the total area under coarse grains in the entire 2024-25 Rabi season reached 59.05 lakh hectares, while the current season's area is significantly lower.

According to available government data, as of January 2nd, the area under sorghum cultivation in the current Rabi season decreased from 22 lakh hectares to 20.74 lakh hectares compared to the previous season, and the area under bajra remained at the previous level of 12,000 hectares.

On the other hand, during the same period, the area under ragi improved from 51,000 hectares to 10,000 hectares, the area under maize increased from 21.87 lakh hectares to 23.32 lakh hectares, and the area under barley increased from 6.08 lakh hectares to 6.78 lakh hectares.

There was no change in the area under barley on a weekly basis, clearly indicating that sowing has been completed. However, the total area remains significantly above the five-year average area of ​​5.63 lakh hectares.

The area under maize is only 29,000 hectares behind the normal average area. The difference is greater in the case of sorghum.

During the entire Rabi season of the previous year, sorghum was cultivated on 25.17 lakh hectares, maize on 27.80 lakh hectares, and barley on 6.08 lakh hectares at the national level. The government has already announced its production targets.