India’s kharif crop sowing was 6.04% lower than last year as of 17 July 2026, mainly due to delayed and uneven monsoon rainfall. The sharpest decline was recorded in pulses and coarse cereals, while rice sowing remained almost stable.

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• Overall kharif crop sowing was 6.04% lower than the previous year as of 17 July 2026.
• Total kharif sowing covered 65.82 million hectares, compared to 70.05 million hectares last year.
• Pulses recorded the highest decline in sowing area.
• Pulse acreage fell by 15.1%, from 81.52 lakh hectares to 69.23 lakh hectares.
• Coarse cereals (millets) also registered a significant decline in acreage.
• Major crops showing reduced sowing include bajra, soybean and cotton.
• Oilseeds also recorded lower sowing compared to last year.
• Rice (paddy) sowing remained relatively stable despite the overall decline.
• Rice acreage stood at 166.41 lakh hectares, compared to 167.83 lakh hectares last year.
• The decline is mainly attributed to weak and uneven monsoon rainfall in several agricultural regions.
• The sowing window for many kharif crops remains open until mid-August, allowing acreage to improve if rainfall remains favourable.