India Reports Strong Kharif Progress with Over 597 Lakh Hectares Sown
As of July 11, 2025, India’s kharif crop sowing reached 597.86 lakh hectares, 37.27 lakh hectares higher than last year. Rice, pulses, and coarse cereals saw major gains, especially moong and bajra. Oilseeds and cotton saw declines, mainly due to reduced soybean planting. Improved monsoon and timely preparations contributed to the increase, according to the Agriculture Ministry.
15 July 2025, New Delhi: The Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Government of India, has released the latest data on kharif crop sowing, showing a total area coverage of 597.86 lakh hectares as on 11th July 2025, marking an increase of 37.27 lakh hectares compared to the same period last year.
The report, released under the Ministry’s “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav” initiative, provides detailed insight into the sowing progress of major kharif crops such as rice, pulses, coarse cereals (Shri Anna), oilseeds, cotton, sugarcane, and jute & mesta.
Paddy Shows Strong Growth
Rice sowing reached 123.68 lakh hectares, up from 111.85 lakh hectares in 2024 — registering a notable increase of 11.84 lakh hectares. This suggests better monsoon coverage and timely preparation by farmers.
Pulses Gain Significant Ground
The overall area under pulses rose to 67.09 lakh hectares, compared to 53.39 lakh hectares last year. Among pulses:
- Moong bean area doubled to 23.16 lakh ha from 12.19 lakh ha (+10.96 lakh ha)
- Moth bean rose sharply by 4.08 lakh ha
- Arhar and Urd bean, however, saw minor declines.
Shri Anna (Millets) and Coarse Cereals Surge
The area under millets and coarse cereals, including maize and bajra, saw a significant rise of 16.51 lakh hectares. Bajra acreage increased impressively by 14.41 lakh hectares, while maize sowing grew by 2.15 lakh hectares.
Oilseeds Decline Marginally
Oilseeds as a group witnessed a marginal fall in area by 2.55 lakh hectares, primarily due to a decline in soybeansowing, which dropped by 8.75 lakh hectares. In contrast, groundnut, sesamum, and castor posted positive gains.
Other Crops
- Sugarcane increased marginally to 55.16 lakh ha
- Cotton fell to 92.83 lakh ha (down by 2.39 lakh ha)
- Jute & Mesta remained largely stable
Full Crop-wise Progress Table (As on 11.07.2025)
| S. No. | Crop | Normal Area (2019-20 to 2023-24) | Area Sown 2025 | Area Sown 2024 | Increase (+)/Decrease (-) over 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rice | 403.09 | 123.68 | 111.85 | +11.84 |
| 2 | Pulses | 129.61 | 67.09 | 53.39 | +13.69 |
| a | Arhar | 44.71 | 25.42 | 27.18 | -1.77 |
| b | Urd bean | 32.64 | 11.46 | 11.54 | -0.08 |
| c | Moong bean | 35.69 | 23.16 | 12.19 | +10.96 |
| d | Kulthi | 1.72 | 0.14 | 0.12 | +0.01 |
| e | Moth bean | 9.70 | 4.85 | 0.78 | +4.08 |
| f | Other pulses | 5.15 | 2.06 | 1.58 | +0.49 |
| 3 | Shri Anna cum Coarse cereals | 180.71 | 116.30 | 99.78 | +16.51 |
| a | Jowar | 15.07 | 8.00 | 7.39 | +0.61 |
| b | Bajra | 70.69 | 44.01 | 29.59 | +14.41 |
| c | Ragi | 11.52 | 1.01 | 1.20 | -0.19 |
| d | Small millets | 4.48 | 1.40 | 1.87 | -0.46 |
| e | Maize | 78.95 | 61.88 | 59.73 | +2.15 |
| 4 | Oilseeds | 194.63 | 137.27 | 139.82 | -2.55 |
| a | Groundnut | 45.10 | 32.99 | 28.04 | +4.95 |
| b | Soybean | 127.19 | 99.03 | 107.78 | -8.75 |
| c | Sunflower | 1.29 | 0.49 | 0.48 | +0.01 |
| d | Sesamum | 10.32 | 4.47 | 3.11 | +1.35 |
| e | Niger | 1.08 | 0.01 | 0.20 | -0.19 |
| f | Castor | 9.65 | 0.23 | 0.15 | +0.08 |
| g | Other Oilseeds | — | 0.04 | 0.05 | -0.01 |
| 5 | Sugarcane | 52.51 | 55.16 | 54.88 | +0.29 |
| 6 | Jute & Mesta | 6.60 | 5.53 | 5.65 | -0.12 |
| 7 | Cotton | 129.50 | 92.83 | 95.22 | -2.39 |
| Total | 1096.65 | 597.86 | 560.59 | +37.27 |
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Source : Global Agriculture
