Wheat crop condition satisfactory with strong sowing progress

02-Jan-2026 01:17 PM

New Delhi: Sowing of wheat—the most important food grain of the rabi season—has almost been completed or has reached its final stage. The crop condition is satisfactory, and if weather conditions remain favourable, production could turn out to be better. According to the Central Agriculture Commissioner, as of December 29, 2025, the total area under wheat cultivation in the country has improved to 32.26 million hectares. This is higher than the sown area during the same period last year as well as the five-year average, though it remains below the record full-season area of 32.8 million hectares achieved in the 2024–25 rabi season, when wheat sowing had seen a sharp rise.

The Agriculture Commissioner stated that, barring a few pockets in Bihar, wheat sowing has been almost completed across the country. It appears that the gross area under wheat cultivation for the entire 2025–26 season may reach close to that of the 2024–25 season. A notable point this year is that more than 73 percent of the total area has been planted with improved and developed wheat varieties that are more resilient to adverse weather and climatic conditions and are bio-fortified. Seeds of these varieties have a greater capacity to withstand unfavourable conditions and poor weather.

According to the Agriculture Commissioner, wheat sowing this season was carried out on time and at an early stage, and the crop outlook appears better everywhere. So far, no reports of problems or challenges affecting the wheat crop have been received from any state or region.

The government has set a wheat production target of 119 million tonnes for the current 2025–26 rabi season, which is an all-time high. If weather conditions remain favourable, this target can be achieved comfortably. Record wheat production would ensure adequate supplies for the government’s welfare schemes.