Kharif Crop Acreage Increases in Andhra Pradesh Driven by Paddy, Tur, and Cotton

09-Jul-2026 08:06 PM

Vijayawada: In Andhra Pradesh, a key agricultural state in South India, the total area under Kharif crops rose to 6.70 lakh hectares by July 8 this year—an increase of 1.90 lakh hectares compared to the 4.80 lakh hectares sown during the same period last year. Paddy, Tur (pigeon pea), and cotton have contributed significantly to this expansion in acreage, while sowing for maize and groundnut is also running ahead of last year's figures.

According to data from the State Agriculture Department, compared to the previous year, the area under paddy in Andhra Pradesh surged from 1.78 lakh hectares to 2.20 lakh hectares during the current Kharif season. The area for coarse cereals improved from 44,000 hectares to 52,000 hectares, the sown area for pulses rose from 35,000 hectares to 81,000 hectares, and the area under oilseeds reached 55,000 hectares. Similarly, the cotton sowing area jumped from 1.63 lakh hectares to 2.40 lakh hectares.

Among pulses, the area under Tur surged from 26,000 hectares to 70,000 hectares; among coarse cereals, the maize area increased from 35,000 hectares to 40,000 hectares; and among oilseeds, the groundnut sowing area improved from 43,000 hectares to 47,000 hectares. Sowing for other crops has taken place over a limited area.