Decline in Kharif Oilseed Acreage Raises Concern
06-Aug-2025 05:13 PM
New Delhi. During the current Kharif season, the production area of soybean and groundnut as well as sesame and sunflower has decreased compared to last year and in some areas, there are reports of damage to crops due to heavy rains and floods.
The ideal time for sowing oilseeds is also passing fast, due to which the possibility of increase in area is diminishing. This is a matter of serious concern because India is already the largest importer of edible oils in the world.
Data from the Union Agriculture Ministry shows that the production area of Kharif oilseed crops has decreased by 7.10 lakh hectares from 178.10 lakh hectares last year to 171 lakh hectares this time, which is far behind the five-year average area of 194.60 lakh hectares. The sowing process has almost ended in most areas.
According to official figures, compared to last year, this time the production area of soybean has come down from 123.50 lakh hectares to 118.50 lakh hectares, which is much behind the normal average area of 127.20 lakh hectares. In view of the weak market price, a 5-7 percent decline in the sowing area of soybean is already being estimated.
As far as groundnut is concerned, earlier its area was ahead of last year, but now it has gone behind by about 2 lakh hectares. According to official figures,
the production area of groundnut has come down from 43.50 lakh hectares last year to 41.60 lakh hectares this time, which is also much behind the normal average area of 45.10 lakh hectares.
The same is the situation with sesame, whose sowing area has come down from 9 lakh hectares last year to 8.40 lakh hectares this year, while its normal average area has been estimated at 10.30 lakh hectares. The area under sunflower has fallen from 70 thousand hectares to 60 thousand hectares.
The government is taking several measures to curb the massive import of edible oils but none of the measures are proving to be effective.
In the last Kharif season, a record amount of soybean and groundnut was procured from farmers at the minimum support price for buffer stock and its support price has been increased substantially for the 2025-26 season but still the farmers are not excited.