Competition from wheat, mustard keeps chana acreage in check
Chana sowing in 2025-26 is expected to stay steady with slight gains, as higher planting in Gujarat and Rajasthan may offset a dip in Madhya Pradesh, where wheat is preferred due to good moisture and possible bonuses. Weak chana prices and cheaper Australian forward offers reduce farmers’ interest.
The area under chana during the ongoing 2025-26 rabi season is likely to be steady with a slight increase over last year, as higher planting in Gujarat and Rajasthan is expected to offset a potential decline in Madhya Pradesh. In the central Indian State, wheat has emerged as the main competitor to the season’s key pulses crop.
Higher residual moisture and the talk of a bonus over minimum support price for wheat are seen influencing the sowing pattern in Madhya Pradesh.
“The prevailing prices are not encouraging for the farmers to go with chana. Another concern is that the forward that we are getting from Australia is also about 10 per cent lower than the MSP,” said Satish Upadhyay, Secretary, India Pulses & Grains Association.
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Source : The Hindu Business line
