Rabi Pulse Production Expected to Be Normal

05-Jan-2026 07:38 PM

New Delhi. Sowing of the three major food pulse crops of the Rabi season – chickpeas, lentils, and peas – is almost complete, and favorable weather conditions are ensuring smooth crop development.

Some sowing of other pulses – urad, moong, kulthi, and khesari – is still underway, but a significant increase in acreage is not expected in the coming weeks.

According to official data, the area under Rabi pulse crops reached 133.44 lakh hectares by December 26 this year, which is higher than the 129.79 lakh hectares sown during the same period last year,

but less than the five-year average of 139.69 lakh hectares. On average, 94 percent of the area has been sown with pulses, and if conditions remain favorable, the total acreage could approach the average.

During the week of December 19-26, 6.70 lakh hectares were sown with pulses, compared to 6.77 lakh hectares during the same week last year. In recent weeks, an average of 8.13 lakh hectares were sown.

This increase in the area under pulses is mainly due to chickpeas, and the area under lentils has also increased somewhat, while the area under other pulses is either the same as last year or slightly less. Given these factors, the total pulse production is expected to be approximately normal.