Kharif Outlook. India’s kharif oilseed acreage declines as farmers shift to maize, rice despite surplus rain
India’s kharif oilseed acreage has fallen to 188.81 lakh hectares, down 5.12 lh from last year, as farmers shift to maize and rice for better returns, despite surplus rainfall and higher MSPs. Soybean saw the steepest drop, while maize and rice acreage rose significantly, reflecting changing cropping preferences.
A shift in farmers’ preferences towards maize and rice crops driven by better economics has led to a decline in area under oilseed crops during the kharif 2025. This comes despite favourable rainfall in most parts of the country and the Government’s announcement of higher MSP (minimum support price) for oilseeds.
As of September 12, oilseeds were sown on an area of 188.81 lakh hectares (lh), down 5.12 lh from 193.93 lh during the year-ago period. The total oilseed sowing in Maharashtra declined to 51.25 lh (53.20 lh) during the current season, whereas sowing in Gujarat stood at 31.44 lh, an increase of 12 per cent, during the current season.
Soybean, which contributes a major share to the total oilseeds production in the country, has seen a sharp decline of 5.81 lh in area under its cultivation. As of September 12, the area under soybean declined to 120.43 lh (126.24 lh a year ago). Sowing data of the past five years shows that the area under soybean crop touched a maximum of 132.55 lh in 2023-24. Comparatively, the area under maize increased by 10.54 lh to 94.84 lh (84.30 lh), and rice by 8.45 lh to 438.51 lh (430.06 lh).
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Source : The Hindu Business line
