Hybrid rice acreage likely to increase this kharif cropping season
Hybrid rice cultivation in India is expected to grow this kharif season, with a 6–8% increase in acreage driven by better yields and returns. Companies like Bayer and SeedWorks report rising seed demand. Early monsoon and higher paddy prices have boosted plantings, especially in eastern India’s hybrid-focused regions.
The area under hybrid rice varieties is likely to rise during the ongoing kharif cropping season, with more farmers showing interest in planting hybrids to take advantage of higher yields and returns. Hybrid paddy seed vendors such as Bayer CropScience and SeedWorks are witnessing increase in sales this cropping season. The paddy seed market in India is dominated by the research and open pollinated varieties, even as farmers are slowly warming up to hybrids.
“The early market assessment for Kharif 2025 suggests a promising 6- 8 per cent increase in hybrid rice acreage compared to last year,” said Simon Wiebusch, Country Divisional Head – Crop Science Division, Bayer in India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. “This growth is being driven by a continued shift in farmer preference towards hybrid varieties, supported by favourable rice procurement prices and the potential for improved return on investment. The overall long-term trend remains positive, reinforcing confidence in the hybrid segment,” Weibusch said.
The early and widespread onset of monsoon has given a boost to the rice plantings this kharif with the acreage witnessing a 17 per cent increase at 31.94 million hectares as of August 1, compared with the same period last year. “The hybrid rice is cultivated on only about 6 per cent of the 43 million hectares in India. However, in the core hybrid rice areas of eastern markets, the adoption rate is closer to 15 per cent, excluding the southern markets. We remain optimistic about a strong kharif 2025 season for our hybrid portfolio,” Weibusch said.
To Read more about Rice News continue reading Agriinsite.com
Source : The Hindu Business line
