As of December 13, 2024, the total area under rabi crop sowing in India has surpassed 55,800 thousand hectares, reflecting the ongoing efforts of Indian farmers to ensure robust agricultural production despite challenges.
Pulses: Mixed Trends
The total area under rabi pulses saw a marginal decline of 0.4%, from 12,371 thousand hectares in 2023-24 to 12,327 thousand hectares in 2024-25. However, specific pulses exhibited varied trends:
Chana: Sowing increased by 1.9%, with 8,600 thousand hectares under cultivation in 2024-25, up from 8,442 thousand hectares last year.
Masoor: The area under cultivation decreased by 1.6%, dropping to 1,603 thousand hectares from 1,629 thousand hectares.
Urad: Sowing saw a steep decline of 17.4%, with only 319 thousand hectares compared to 386 thousand hectares in the previous year.
Moong: The most significant decline was recorded in moong cultivation, which plummeted by 62.7%, falling to just 44 thousand hectares from 118 thousand hectares.
Regional Highlights
- Gujarat Chana Sowing: Chana sowing in Gujarat increased by 19% year-on-year, reaching 671.8 thousand hectares in 2024-25 compared to 564.6 thousand hectares in 2023-24.
- Andhra Pradesh Rabi Pulses Sowing: Rabi Chana sowing rose by 22% to 259 thousand hectares from 212 thousand hectares. However, Urad sowing fell by 20%, dropping from 99 thousand hectares to 79 thousand hectares, while Moong sowing declined by 7.14%, decreasing from 14 thousand hectares to 13 thousand hectares.
Wheat Sowing Sees Significant Increase
Wheat continues to dominate the rabi sowing season, with an impressive 29,311 thousand hectares brought under cultivation. This marks a 3.1% increase compared to 28,417 thousand hectares during the corresponding period last year. Such a significant rise underscores favorable conditions and increased farmer interest in wheat cultivation.
Coarse Cereals and Shri Anna Face Declines
The area under coarse cereals and Shri Anna also contracted, declining from 4,045 thousand hectares in 2023-24 to 3,875 thousand hectares in 2024-25. This reduction highlights the need for targeted interventions to support these important crops.
Oilseeds: A Decline Driven by Rapeseed and Mustard
Total oilseeds coverage fell by 5.5%, from 9,696 thousand hectares in 2023-24 to 9,160 thousand hectares in 2024-25. The sharpest decline was observed in rapeseed and mustard, key contributors to India’s oilseed basket.
Rice: A Modest Decline
The area under rabi rice decreased from 1,207 thousand hectares in 2023-24 to 1,139 thousand hectares in 2024-25, registering a decline of 5.6%.
With the rabi sowing season still ongoing, the final numbers will reveal the complete picture of India’s agricultural landscape for 2024-25.
Source: PIB