Wheat Area Increases in MP and Rajasthan, but Decreases in UP and Punjab

27-Jan-2026 09:34 PM

New Delhi: Of the six states that contribute the most to the central wheat pool, three states – Madhya Pradesh (MP), Rajasthan, and Haryana – have seen a significant increase in the area under wheat cultivation, while the area in the other three states – Punjab, Uttar Pradesh (UP), and Bihar – has lagged behind last year's figures.

Wheat is the most important food grain of the Rabi season. Gujarat and Maharashtra have also reported a slight increase in the area under cultivation.

According to the Union Ministry of Agriculture, the total area under wheat cultivation at the national level has increased by 6.13 lakh hectares,

from 328.04 lakh hectares in the 2024-25 season to 334.17 lakh hectares in the current 2025-26 season. This is also about 22 lakh hectares more than the five-year average area of ​​312.35 lakh hectares.

Compared to last year, the area under wheat cultivation during the current Rabi season increased by about 8 lakh hectares in Madhya Pradesh and 4 lakh hectares in Rajasthan.

It is noteworthy that 90 percent of the wheat cultivation area is located in the above-mentioned six states – Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Bihar.

The area under wheat cultivation decreased by 2 percent in Uttar Pradesh to 94.13 lakh hectares, by 1 percent in Punjab to 34.89 lakh hectares, and by 13 percent in Bihar to 19.92 lakh hectares.

On the other hand, it increased by 11 percent in Madhya Pradesh to 85.73 lakh hectares, by 12 percent in Rajasthan to 35.49 lakh hectares, and by 3 percent in Haryana to 24.48 lakh hectares.

Weather conditions are normal. Recent rainfall has benefited the wheat crop in northwestern India. The Union Ministry of Agriculture has set a production target of 1190 lakh tonnes of wheat for the 2025-26 season, which is higher than the 1179.40 lakh tonnes produced in the 2024-25 season. Crop harvesting and preparation will begin in March-April.