Kharif Crop Acreage Increases in Gujarat Driven by Groundnut and Cotton

08-Jun-2026 08:23 PM

Gandhinagar: The sowing campaign for Kharif crops has commenced in the western state of Gujarat, and early indications suggest that farmers may prioritize the cultivation of groundnut and cotton this season. It is noteworthy that Gujarat is the country's largest producer of groundnut, cotton, and castor, alongside the cultivation of various other crops.

According to the latest data from the State Agriculture Department, the area under major crops during the current Kharif season has risen to 173,486 hectares, marking an increase of 96,419 hectares over the 77,067 hectares sown during the same period last year.

During the period under review, the acreage for cereal crops surged from 103 hectares to 1,492 hectares; the area under pulses improved from 111 hectares to 55,194 hectares; and the area under cotton cultivation jumped from 34,011 hectares to 93,449 hectares. The area under guar reached 105 hectares, whereas sowing for this crop had not yet begun by this time last year.

Crops cultivated in Gujarat include cereals (such as paddy, sorghum, pearl millet, and maize), pulses (such as tur, moong, and urad), and oilseeds (such as groundnut, sesame, soybean, and castor). Data indicates that compared to the previous year,

the area under groundnut cultivation in the current Kharif season has increased from 31,110 hectares to 54,788 hectares, and the cotton acreage has surged from 34,011 hectares to 93,449 hectares, while sowing for other Kharif crops has so far been limited to a smaller area.