Area sown under rabi crop crosses 614 lakh hectares
New Delhi, Dec 29
The total area sown under rabi crops in the ongoing winter season has increased by 6.87 lakh hectares to 614.30 lakh hectares as on December 26 this year, compared with the corresponding figure of 607.43 lakh hectares in the same period last year, data released by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare on Monday showed.
The increase in sown area is expected to lead to higher production, which in turn would increase the incomes of farmers and also help to keep food inflation in check.
The official figures show that the area under wheat has risen to 322.68 lakh hectares from 322.49 lakh hectares during the same period last year.
The area under pulses such as Urd, Lentils (Masur), gram and Moong has gone up by 3.65 lakh hectares to 133.44 lakh hectares from 129.79 lakh hectares during the same period last year.
The area covered under coarse cereals or millets such as jowar, bajra and ragi has increased to 49 lakh hectares during the current season so far, compared to 48.89 lakh hectares in the same period of the previous year.
The area under oilseeds such as rapeseed and mustard has increased by 1.04 lakh hectares to 94.29 lakh hectares from 93.25 lakh hectares in the same period last year.
The sown area has gone up in the current season as better monsoon rains have facilitated the sowing in unirrigated areas, which account for close to 50 per cent of the country's farmland.
Meanwhile, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), on October 1 this year, approved an increase in the minimum support prices (MSP) for all mandated rabi crops for the 2026-27 marketing season to ensure remunerative prices to the growers for their produce.
The minimum support prices are announced well ahead of the sowing season as farmers can accordingly draw up their cropping plans to maximise their earnings.
The highest increase in MSP has been announced for Safflower at Rs. 600 per quintal, followed by Lentil (Masur) at Rs. 300 per quintal. For rapeseed and mustard, gram, barley, and wheat, there is an increase of Rs. 250 per quintal, Rs 225 per quintal, Rs 170 per quintal and Rs 160 per quintal, respectively.
The increase in MSP for mandated Rabi Crops for Marketing Season 2026-27 is in line with the Union Budget 2018-19 announcement of fixing the MSP at a level of at least 1.5 times the All-India weighted average cost of Production.
The expected margin over the All-India weighted average cost of production is 109 per cent for wheat, followed by 93 per cent for rapeseed and mustard, 89 per cent for lentil, 59 per cent for gram, 58 per cent for barley, and 50 per cent for safflower.
This increased MSP of rabi crops will ensure remunerative prices to the farmers and incentivise crop diversification.
The cost of production for these crops includes all paid out costs such as those incurred on account of hired human labour, bullock labour/machine labour, rent paid for leased in land, expenses incurred on use of material inputs like seeds, fertilisers, manures, irrigation charges, depreciation on implements and farm buildings, interest on working capital, diesel/electricity for operation of pump sets etc., miscellaneous expenses and imputed value of family labour, the official statement explained.
— IANS
Reader Comments
More area under cultivation is good, but the real test is the yield. We need to focus on soil health and sustainable practices. Also, while MSP increases are welcome, the government must ensure procurement at these prices reaches every corner, especially for pulses. The margin for wheat looks very promising for farmers.
As someone from a farming family in Punjab, this data is encouraging. The increase in MSP for mustard and wheat is a direct support. However, the cost of diesel, fertilizers, and labour keeps rising too. The 1.5 times cost formula is a good policy, but its on-ground implementation is key. Jai Kisan!
It's heartening to see the focus on millets (coarse cereals) as well. They are nutritious and require less water. Promoting crop diversification towards pulses and millets is a smart move for food security and the environment. Hope this trend continues!
Good numbers, but a word of caution. We must not celebrate just the hectare count. The article says close to 50% farmland is unirrigated and dependent on monsoon. Climate change is making rains erratic. Long-term solutions in micro-irrigation and water conservation are non-negotiable for stable growth.
Positive step for food inflation. If production increases as expected, it should help moderate prices of essential items like lentils and cooking oil in the market. The detailed breakdown of cost of production is very transparent and appreciated.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.