India’s Summer Rice Acreage Falls by 2.47 Lakh Hectares in 2026 Despite Overall Crop Area Growth
India’s summer cropping area rose slightly to 58.29 lakh hectares, but rice acreage declined sharply by 2.47 lakh hectares. Growth is driven by pulses, maize, and oilseeds, indicating a shift in farmer preferences due to water, cost, and profitability factors, potentially impacting future rice supply dynamics.
07 April 2026, New Delhi: The latest data released by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare presents a nuanced picture of India’s summer cropping season in 2026. While the total area under summer crops has recorded a marginal increase, rice acreage has declined compared to the same period last year, highlighting a gradual shift in cropping patterns across the country.
As of April 3, 2026, the total area sown under summer crops stands at 58.29 lakh hectares, slightly higher than 57.80 lakh hectares during the corresponding period in 2025, registering an increase of 0.48 lakh hectares. However, this growth is being driven by crops such as pulses, maize, and oilseeds, rather than rice.
Rice Acreage Declines Compared to Last Year
Rice cultivation during the summer season has reached 30.12 lakh hectares in 2026, down from 32.59 lakh hectares during the same period in 2025. This marks a decline of 2.47 lakh hectares year-on-year.
In comparison, the final summer rice area in 2025 stood at 33.28 lakh hectares, which was higher than the normal summer area of 31.49 lakh hectares. The slower pace of sowing this year indicates a possible shift in farmer preferences, influenced by factors such as water availability, cost of cultivation, and relative profitability of alternative crops.
Although summer rice occupies a smaller share compared to the kharif season, it remains important for maintaining supply stability in several states. Any sustained decline in acreage could have implications for regional production dynamics.
Progress of Area Coverage under Summer Crops as on 03.04.2026 – Area in lakh hectares
| S. No. | Crops | Normal Summer Area (DES) | Final Summer Area 2025 | Current Year (2026) | Corresponding Period Last Year (2025) | Increase/Decrease |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rice | 31.49 | 33.28 | 30.12 | 32.59 | -2.47 |
| 2 | Pulses | 23.40 | 27.07 | 8.79 | 7.02 | 1.77 |
| a | Greengram | 20.44 | 23.49 | 6.09 | 4.91 | 1.18 |
| b | Blackgram | 2.96 | 3.58 | 2.42 | 1.93 | 0.49 |
| c | Other Pulses | 0.00 | – | 0.28 | 0.17 | 0.11 |
| 3 | Shree Anna cum Coarse Cereals | 12.08 | 14.06 | 11.64 | 10.77 | 0.87 |
| a | Jowar | 0.34 | 0.36 | 0.32 | 0.41 | -0.10 |
| b | Bajra | 4.43 | 5.20 | 3.91 | 3.15 | 0.76 |
| c | Ragi | 0.31 | – | 0.21 | 0.16 | 0.05 |
| d | Small Millets | 0.02 | – | 0.03 | 0.03 | 0.00 |
| e | Maize | 6.98 | 8.50 | 7.18 | 7.01 | 0.17 |
| 4 | Oilseeds | 8.40 | 9.51 | 7.74 | 7.42 | 0.31 |
| a | Groundnut | 3.40 | 4.20 | 4.59 | 4.20 | 0.39 |
| b | Sunflower | 0.34 | 0.35 | 0.38 | 0.36 | 0.03 |
| c | Sesamum | 4.66 | 4.96 | 2.71 | 2.80 | -0.09 |
| d | Other Oilseeds | 0.00 | – | 0.05 | 0.06 | -0.01 |
| Total | 75.37 | 83.92 | 58.29 | 57.80 | 0.48 |
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Source : Global Agriculture
