Likely Decline in Paddy Cultivation Area

07-Jul-2026 05:11 PM

New Delhi. During the last Kharif season, the national paddy cultivation area surged to an all-time high of 446.70 lakh hectares, resulting in record rice production in the country. While the five-year average area for paddy for the 2026-27 season is estimated at 412 lakh hectares, the current acreage is lagging behind last year's figures.

According to data from the Union Ministry of Agriculture, the paddy cultivation area reached only 60.24 lakh hectares by July 5 this year. This is 9.06 lakh hectares less than the acreage recorded during the same period last year (69.30 lakh hectares) and 6.33 lakh hectares below the normal average area expected by this date (66.57 lakh hectares).

Monsoon rainfall was significantly deficient in June. Although increased monsoon activity in the first week of July accelerated the pace of paddy transplantation, the total area sown remains below last year's levels.

Future paddy cultivation area will continue to depend on monsoon rainfall. Rainfall patterns are likely to remain uncertain and erratic after mid-July, which could pose challenges for farmers engaged in paddy cultivation.