Wheat and Mustard Likely to Outpace Growth in Chickpea Acreage
28-Nov-2025 01:39 PM
New Delhi. During the current Rabi season, there is likely to be intense competition between wheat and mustard cultivation.
The minimum support price for wheat has increased by ₹160 to ₹2,585 per quintal, while the wholesale market price of mustard has remained high for the past several months, providing farmers with attractive returns.
The minimum support price (MSP) for mustard has also been increased, leading to significant farmer enthusiasm for its cultivation.
A significant increase in the area under wheat and mustard is expected this year compared to last year, which is likely to impact chickpea cultivation.
A significant increase in the area under chickpea cultivation was previously expected, and currently, its acreage is ahead of last year's.
However, a significant increase in the area under wheat and mustard would likely limit chickpea cultivation, as other Rabi crops are also being cultivated normally.
Considering this, it appears that the domestic chickpea production area will either remain roughly the same as last year or may increase slightly.
Chickpea acreage is increasing in Gujarat and Rajasthan, while it is decreasing in Madhya Pradesh. Farmers in Madhya Pradesh are prioritizing wheat and mustard cultivation over chickpea cultivation this time because, firstly,
the state's soil has sufficient moisture and, secondly, wheat is likely to receive an additional bonus above the Minimum Support Price (MSP). Furthermore, there is ample water available in dams and reservoirs for wheat irrigation.
The prevailing domestic market price of chickpea is not very encouraging for farmers. Chickpea imported from Australia is also trading around 10 percent below the MSP, and further price improvement seems unlikely as Australia is once again showing signs of a robust chickpea production.
Madhya Pradesh is considered the leading chickpea producer. Farmers there are earning more attractive returns from wheat, maize, and mustard than chickpea.
Karnataka and Maharashtra are also under close scrutiny. It's worth noting that the national chickpea production area declined slightly to 9.855 million hectares during the 2024-25 rabi season, resulting in a decline in production.