Coarse Cereal Acreage Shrinks Due to Maize

26-Aug-2026 07:19 PM

New Delhi. Although the sowing area for *jowar* (sorghum) and *bajra* (pearl millet) has increased at the national level during the current Kharif season compared to last year—and the acreage for small millets remains roughly the same—the total cultivation area for coarse cereals has declined by 8.45 lakh hectares due to a significant drop in the area under maize and *ragi* (finger millet).

Data from the Union Ministry of Agriculture reveals that the total area under coarse cereals across the country reached 176.36 lakh hectares by August 21, 2026, during the current Kharif season; this is 3.45 lakh hectares less than the 179.81 lakh hectares sown during the same period last year. Within this category, the area under *jowar* improved from 12.61 lakh hectares to 13.41 lakh hectares,

and the sowing area for *bajra* rose from 63.33 lakh hectares to 64.68 lakh hectares. Conversely, the acreage for *ragi* fell from 6.60 lakh hectares to 4.81 lakh hectares, and the cultivation area for maize dropped from 93.30 lakh hectares to 89.51 lakh hectares. The sowing area for small millets stood at 3.95 lakh hectares this season, compared to 3.98 lakh hectares recorded last year.

The reduction in maize sowing has come as no surprise, as a decline in its acreage had already been anticipated. While *bajra* sowing was initially lagging significantly in Rajasthan, it picked up later. Farmers in South India are showing less interest in *ragi* cultivation this season.