Significant Decline in Maize and Ragi Sowing Area

17-Aug-2026 08:01 PM

New Delhi. Compared to last year, the total area under coarse cereals during the current Kharif season has decreased by 4.17 lakh hectares, falling from 177.13 lakh hectares to 172.96 lakh hectares. Notably, the sowing area for maize and ragi has seen a significant decline, whereas the area under jowar (sorghum) and bajra (pearl millet) has surpassed last year's figures.

According to data from the Union Ministry of Agriculture, the area under jowar increased from 12.61 lakh hectares to 13.30 lakh hectares, and the area under bajra rose from 63.29 lakh hectares to 63.98 lakh hectares compared to the previous Kharif season. However, the acreage for ragi dropped from 5.26 lakh hectares to 3.46 lakh hectares, and the area under maize fell from 92.06 lakh hectares to 88.39 lakh hectares. The area under small millets also declined from 3.92 lakh hectares to 3.83 lakh hectares.

A decline in the maize sowing area had been anticipated; farmers did not receive attractive returns due to low market prices, and the Minimum Support Price (MSP) was raised by only ₹10 per quintal. Sowing operations have largely concluded.