MUMBAI, 14 Jan (Commoditiescontrol): India’s rabi crop sowing for the 2024-25 season has crossed 632.27 lakh hectares (ha), slightly higher than the 631.44 lakh ha recorded during the same period last year. This steady performance reflects favorable weather and strong farmer participation across key crops, including wheat, pulses, and coarse cereals.
Wheat, the backbone of the rabi season, has been sown over 320 lakh ha, a notable increase from 315.63 lakh ha last year. This rise highlights robust planting due to favorable soil conditions and stable market prices, reinforcing wheat’s dominance in rabi acreage.
Pulses have secured a sowing area of 139.81 lakh ha, up slightly from 139.11 lakh ha in the previous season. Gram continues to lead among pulses, covering 96.65 lakh ha. Other key pulses like lentils (17.43 lakh ha) and field peas (8.94 lakh ha) have maintained stable progress, emphasizing the importance of pulses in meeting nutritional and agricultural needs.
Sowing of Shri Anna and other coarse cereals stands at 53.55 lakh ha, a slight increase from last year’s 53.37 lakh ha. Maize leads this category with 22.37 lakh ha, up significantly from 20.36 lakh ha in the previous season. Barley and other small millets have also shown modest increases, underlining the rising popularity of these nutritious and climate-resilient crops.
Oilseed acreage has reached 96.82 lakh ha, down from 101.81 lakh ha in 2023-24. Rapeseed and mustard remain the largest contributors with 88.5 lakh ha, although this figure is slightly below last year’s 93.73 lakh ha. Linseed and groundnut have recorded stable sowing areas, reflecting balanced demand-supply dynamics.
The total normal area for rabi crops is estimated at 635.3 lakh ha, with the current sowing of 632.27 lakh ha indicating a healthy and stable season. Farmers have efficiently managed planting despite market and weather challenges, ensuring strong agricultural output for the rabi season.
India’s resilient rabi sowing trends underscore the sector’s importance in ensuring food security and sustaining the rural economy. With wheat and pulses driving growth and a steady focus on coarse cereals, the season reflects optimism for strong harvests ahead.
(By Commoditiescontrol Bureau; +91 98201 30172)