India’s rabi crop sowing has seen a marginal increase this season, with pulses recording slight improvements, according to data released by the Ministry of Agriculture. As of December 30, the total area under all rabi crops reached 614,940 thousand hectares, a small rise from 611,800 thousand ha during the same period last year.

Pulses have been a notable contributor to the increased coverage, with the total area rising to 136,130 thousand ha, up by 0.06% from 136,050 thousand ha in the previous year. Chana remains the standout performer, with its acreage growing by 0.9% to 93,980 thousand ha from 93,170 thousand ha last year. However, other pulses showed a decline, with masoor dipping by 1.9% to 17,430 thousand ha from 17,760 thousand ha, urad dropping 11.9% to 4,220 thousand ha from 4,790 thousand ha, and moong decreasing slightly by 1.1% to 860 thousand ha from 870 thousand ha.

Regional Highlights

Gujarat: Gujarat has recorded a significant increase in rabi pulses sowing, which has risen by 32.4% from 66 thousand hectares in 2023-24 to 885.6 thousand hectares in 2024-25. Chana sowing has also seen a substantial increase of 31%, expanding from 623.6 thousand hectares in 2023-24 to 817 thousand hectares in 2024-25.

Andhra Pradesh: The state recorded a significant 22% increase in rabi pulses sowing, reaching 4,511 thousand ha compared to 4,190 thousand ha last year. Chana acreage rose by 21.3% to 2,730 thousand ha from 2,250 thousand ha. However, urad and moong sowing declined by 7.8% and 5%, reaching 1,330 thousand ha and 850 thousand ha, respectively.

Karnataka: Rabi sowing in Karnataka saw a 9.3% increase, with pulses covering 1,160 thousand ha compared to 1,061 thousand ha last year. Chana again led the growth, with a 10% rise to 1,042 thousand ha from 941 thousand ha.

The Agriculture Ministry reported that 97% of the normal five-year average area of 635,300 thousand ha under rabi crops has been completed as of December 30. With steady progress in key states and improved sowing figures for pulses, India remains optimistic about its rabi harvest.