Improved sowing of summer crops is expected to improve yields

20-Feb-2026 07:25 PM

New Delhi. Although the total area under summer crops is ahead of last year's total production in the current summer season, with peanuts and maize contributing significantly, the area under paddy has lagged behind. The sowing of pulses has increased slightly.

According to official data, the total area under summer crops nationally increased to 15.18 lakh hectares as of last week, representing a 43,000 hectare increase, or 3 percent, from the 14.75 lakh hectare sowing area during the same period last year.

Sowing of summer crops is progressing well. Water stocks in dams and reservoirs are 10 percent higher than last year. This will ensure availability of water for crop irrigation. Zaid crop cultivation begins after the sowing of Rabi crops, and harvesting begins before the sowing of Kharif crops begins.

Previously, the area under summer paddy cultivation was included in the Kharif and Rabi crops, but now it is calculated separately. The five-year average area under summer crops is estimated at 7.537 million hectares this year, while the gross production area increased rapidly to a peak of 8.392 million hectares in the 2024-25 season.

This year, there are indications of an increase in the area under sowing, especially pulses (green gram, black gram) and oilseeds (peanuts and sesame). Furthermore, the area under maize is also expected to increase. As of February 13, 2026, millet had been sown on 6,000 hectares, whereas its cultivation had not even begun during this period last year.