Kharif crop acreage reaches 96% of the normal average area

28-Aug-2026 01:09 PM

New Delhi. The five-year average area for Kharif crops has been estimated at 1,104.46 lakh hectares, with the total sown area reaching 96% of this figure by August 21, 2026. Compared to the previous year, the gap in the sown area for Kharif crops during the current year has narrowed to just 0.3%. This clearly indicates that earlier projections of a sharp decline in Kharif acreage—driven by fears of El Niño and a weak monsoon—did not materialize. While the sowing process has concluded in most regions, sporadic sowing may continue until the second or third week of September.

According to available data, Kharif crops were sown across more than 40 lakh hectares during the week of August 15–21 this year, whereas sowing covered 35 lakh hectares during the same period last year. By August 7, the total Kharif acreage was trailing the previous year's figures by approximately 2%, a gap that narrowed to just 0.3% by August 21.

Data from the Union Ministry of Agriculture shows that the total area under Kharif crops reached 1,056.70 lakh hectares by August 21, which is 16.07 lakh hectares less than the 1,072.77 lakh hectares sown during the same period last year. Significant declines in acreage were observed particularly in paddy, moong (green gram), and maize. Soybean acreage also lagged behind. Similarly, the area under castor has decreased, and ragi acreage has also fallen short. Cotton and sugarcane saw only marginal declines in sown area, while the sown area for other Kharif crops has surpassed last year's figures.