Sharp Decline in Soybean and Groundnut Acreage Contrary to Expectations

29-Jun-2026 07:58 PM

New Delhi. It was previously anticipated that if the Southwest Monsoon rainfall were deficient due to the El Niño effect, Indian farmers might prioritize the cultivation of pulses and oilseeds over paddy and maize. However, the current situation does not align with that prediction.

Data from the Union Ministry of Agriculture reveals that the total area under oilseed crops for the current Kharif season stood at only 1.7 million hectares as of June 25, 2026—a shortfall of 1.94 million hectares compared to the 3.64 million hectares sown during the same period last year. A sharp decline is being observed in the sowing of the two major oilseeds—groundnut and soybean—despite significant hikes in their Minimum Support Prices (MSP) intended to incentivize farmers to increase acreage.

According to official figures, compared to the previous year, the area under soybean cultivation during the current Kharif season has plummeted from 1.997 million hectares to 0.692 million hectares, while the groundnut sowing area has dropped from 1.529 million hectares to 0.887 million hectares. Sesame acreage also lags significantly, whereas the area under sunflower cultivation has risen from 44,000 hectares to 73,000 hectares.