Paddy Acreage Lags Behind Last Year by 1.4 Million Hectares

31-Aug-2026 07:37 PM

New Delhi. The decline in the area under Kharif paddy cultivation, which began due to the weak performance of the southwest monsoon in June, persists. Although monsoon rainfall improved significantly in July and August—leading to a notable recovery in the acreage of this vital food grain—it has still not reached last year's levels.

Data from the Union Ministry of Agriculture indicates that the total area under paddy cultivation for the current Kharif season stood at 41.41 million hectares as of August 28, 2026; this is 1.436 million hectares less than the 42.846 million hectares recorded during the same period last year. Paddy cultivation continues in eastern and southern states until the second week of September.

Since the current paddy acreage exceeds the five-year average of 40.5 million hectares, there is no cause for major concern. In fact, last year's acreage had surged to a record high, making the current figure appear lower by comparison.

Rainfall in September will prove crucial for the paddy crop, which has a high water requirement. As the government already holds substantial stocks of paddy and rice, a slight dip in production during the Kharif season would not be a cause for worry. Harvesting of the paddy crop is set to begin in October.