COMMODITY
Paddy sowing decline over 3% to 414.10 lakh hectares as on August 28 in kharif season
Sep-01-2026

The government data showed that paddy sowing so far this kharif season has declined 3.35 per cent to 414.10 lakh hectares (LH) on deficient rains in some states. Sowing of paddy - the main crop of kharif (summer-sown) season - stood at 428.46 lakh hectares in the same period last year. The agriculture ministry has released progress of area coverage under kharif crops as on August 28, 2026.

Overall, the decline in rice area is mainly attributable to substantial reductions in Karnataka, Telangana, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, etc. Total sowing area of all kharif crops declined to 1071.1 lakh hectares till August 28, from 1091 lakh hectares a year ago.

The acreage of pulses increased marginally to 115.05 lakh hectares so far as compared to 113.66 lakh hectares in the year-ago period. The sowing area of Shri Anna & Coarse Cereals fell to 177.90 lakh hectares from 182.11 lakh hectares.

In the non-foodgrains category, the acreage of oilseeds is marginally down to 190.45 lakh hectares from 191.45 lakh hectares. Area under cotton was down at 108.80 lakh hectares from 109.23 lakh hectares. Sugarcane sowing was slightly lower at 58.46 lakh hectares till August 28 of the current Kharif season as against 58.87 lakh hectares in the year-ago period.

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