Superb sowing of Kharif crops continues in Rajasthan and Gujarat

03-Jul-2025 08:33 PM

New Delhi. Generally, due to the early arrival of the monsoon in most of the major agricultural states of the country, the area under Kharif crop cultivation is ahead of last year.

However, a spectacular increase in acreage is being seen particularly in Rajasthan and Gujarat. Compared to last year, by June 30, the area under Kharif crops in Maharashtra rose from 78.55 lakh hectares to 79.73 lakh hectares and in Karnataka from 42.05 lakh hectares to 43.55 lakh hectares.

But in Gujarat, the area increased significantly from 24.41 lakh hectares to 33.92 lakh hectares, while in Rajasthan it jumped sharply from 15.46 lakh hectares to 71.44 lakh hectares.

Last year, the monsoon had reached Rajasthan around July 2–3, which led to a slow pace of Kharif sowing during June. In contrast, this year the monsoon arrived much earlier and remained consistently active across the state.

A similar favorable trend is being observed in Gujarat. On the other hand, Maharashtra and Karnataka received heavy rainfall in the last week of May, but the intensity of rains reduced during June.

As a result, the increase in Kharif sowing area was modest, although sowing activities had started early in both states.

Rajasthan is the largest producer of bajra (millet), moong, and guar during the Kharif season, while Gujarat leads in the cultivation of cotton, groundnut, and castor.

Maharashtra and Karnataka are the top producers of pigeon pea. Maharashtra ranks second in cotton production, and Rajasthan is the second-largest groundnut producer. Madhya Pradesh is the top producer of soybean, followed by Maharashtra and Rajasthan.

Karnataka is known for maize cultivation during Kharif. Meanwhile, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, and Odisha are major producers of paddy. Moth is also widely cultivated in Rajasthan and Gujarat. Madhya Pradesh leads in the production of urad.