Area under Pulses Cultivation Increases, Led by Chickpeas

28-Jan-2026 11:34 AM

New Delhi:  With the sowing of Rabi (winter) pulses almost complete, government data reveals an increase in the total area under cultivation, primarily driven by chickpeas.

Weather conditions have generally remained normal, but recent hailstorms may have caused partial damage to crops in some areas.

According to the latest weekly data from the Central Ministry of Agriculture, the total area under Rabi pulses cultivation increased to 137.55 lakh hectares by January 23, which is 3.61 lakh hectares more than the 133.94 lakh hectares sown during the same period last year.

Chickpeas contributed the most to this increase, with the area under cultivation rising from 91.22 lakh hectares to 95.88 lakh hectares.

The area under lentils also improved from 17.66 lakh hectares to 18.12 lakh hectares, while the area under other pulses decreased.

Compared to last year, the area under peas in the current Rabi season decreased from 8.27 lakh hectares to 7.92 lakh hectares, urad (black gram) from 5.25 lakh hectares to 4.81 lakh hectares,

moong (green gram) from 95,000 hectares to 90,000 hectares, kulthi (horse gram) from 2.41 lakh hectares to 1.98 lakh hectares, and other pulses, including khesari, from 5.25 lakh hectares to 4.95 lakh hectares.