Good increase in the total area of Kharif crops including groundnut and cotton in Gujarat

26-Jun-2025 11:13 AM

Ahmedabad. In Gujarat, a key agricultural state in western India, the sowing of Kharif crops is progressing better than last year, with a significant increase in the area under groundnut and cotton cultivation.

According to the latest weekly data released by the State Agriculture Department, as of June 23, the total area under Kharif crops in Gujarat has reached 18.30 lakh hectares.

This is nearly double the 9.94 lakh hectares recorded during the same period last year and accounts for 21.4 percent of the state’s normal average Kharif area of 85.58 lakh hectares. Gujarat is one of the leading producers of groundnut, cotton, and castor in India.

As per the data, the area under cereal crops has increased from 2 thousand hectares to 4 thousand hectares. The sowing area of pulse crops has slightly improved from 3,914 hectares to 4,145 hectares.

A notable increase has been recorded in oilseed crops, with the area rising from 3.27 lakh hectares to 9.57 lakh hectares.

The area under cotton has also risen significantly from 5.80 lakh hectares to 7.58 lakh hectares. However, sowing of guar remains behind schedule.

Gujarat also sees substantial cultivation of other crops such as tobacco, vegetables, and fodder during the Kharif season. In pulses, the area under tur and moong has decreased compared to last year, while there has been a marginal increase in the urad area.

However, pulse sowing in Gujarat is still in its early stages, and the normal average area for pulses in the state is estimated at 4.03 lakh hectares.

Among oilseeds, the area under groundnut has increased sharply from 3.24 lakh hectares last year to 9.06 lakh hectares this year. However, the area under sesame has declined from 854 hectares to 463 hectares.

Similarly, the soybean area has jumped from 3 thousand hectares to 51 thousand hectares. Castor sowing has just begun and remains in its initial phase.