Kharif sowing gap narrows to 1.82 pc, paddy acreage lags 4.4 pc
Business 11 Aug, 2026

Kharif sowing gap narrows to 1.82 pc, paddy acreage lags 4.4 pc

Business To Business, New Delhi, 11 August 2026:  The gap in kharif crop sowing has narrowed to 1.82% compared with the same period last year, although paddy, the season's biggest crop, continues to lag, according to Agriculture Ministry data released on Tuesday.
As of August 7, kharif crops had been sown across 967.92 lakh hectares, compared with 985.89 lakh hectares during the corresponding period last year.
Crop-wise sowing

Crop Area sown (2026) Area sown (2025) Change
Total kharif crops 967.92 lakh ha 985.89 lakh ha -1.82%
Paddy 344.78 lakh ha 360.67 lakh ha -4.40%
Pulses 103.78 lakh ha 105.73 lakh ha Lower
Coarse cereals 168.50 lakh ha 173.21 lakh ha Lower
Key takeaway
While the overall sowing shortfall has narrowed as the season has progressed, paddy remains the biggest area of concern, with acreage still 4.4% below last year's level. Sowing of pulses and coarse cereals is also trailing last year's pace, though the overall kharif sowing deficit has continued to shrink.

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