Zaid Crop Cultivation Area Up by 77,000 Hectares Compared to Last Year

14-Apr-2026 12:47 PM

New Delhi: The sowing of summer (Zaid) crops is gradually approaching its final phase. At the national level, the total acreage currently stands slightly ahead of last year's figures, driven largely by significant contributions from pulses, oilseeds, and coarse cereals. However, the area under paddy cultivation lags slightly behind.

According to the latest weekly data released by the Union Ministry of Agriculture, the gross cultivation area for Zaid crops during the current year—up to April 10—has expanded to 64.10 lakh hectares. This represents an increase of 77,000 hectares over the 63.33 lakh hectares sown during the corresponding period last year. For the current year, the normal average acreage for Zaid crops has been estimated at 75.37 lakh hectares. In the year 2025, the total cultivation area for summer crops was recorded at 83.92 lakh hectares.

Official statistics indicate that, compared to the previous year, the cultivation area for summer paddy declined from 32.30 lakh hectares to 30.59 lakh hectares during the current year. Conversely, the sowing area for pulses rose from 10.71 lakh hectares to 11.54 lakh hectares; the acreage for coarse cereals surged from 12.70 lakh hectares to 13.67 lakh hectares; and the area under oilseed crops improved from 7.62 lakh hectares to reach 8.31 lakh hectares.

Among pulse crops, the sowing area for Moong (Green Gram) improved from 8.15 lakh hectares to 8.47 lakh hectares. Similarly, within the oilseed category, the cultivation area for Sesame (Til) increased from 3.00 lakh hectares to 3.09 lakh hectares; the sowing area for Groundnut jumped from 4.20 lakh hectares to 4.77 lakh hectares; and the area under Sunflower cultivation improved from 35,000 hectares to 39,000 hectares. Among coarse cereals, a significant increase was observed in the acreage dedicated to Bajra (Pearl Millet) and Maize.