India’s Rabi Crop Sowing Surpasses 632 Lakh Hectares

The area under Rabi crop sowing in India has surpassed 632 lakh hectares, according to data released by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare on Tuesday. The ministry reported that around 320 lakh hectares have been covered under wheat, compared to 315.63 lakh hectares during the same period last year. Additionally, about 139.81 lakh hectares have been sown with pulses, and 53.55 lakh hectares with Shri Anna and Coarse Cereals.

The Rabi season runs from October to March.

Earlier, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved an increase in the Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for all mandated Rabi crops for the Marketing Season 2025-26. The government raised the MSP to provide farmers with remunerative prices for their produce. The highest increase in MSP has been announced for Rapeseed & Mustard, at Rs 300 per quintal, followed by Lentil (Masur) at Rs 275 per quintal.

For other crops, the MSP has been increased by Rs 210 per quintal for gram, Rs 150 per quintal for wheat, Rs 140 per quintal for safflower, and Rs 130 per quintal for barley.

This increase in MSP aligns with the Union Budget 2018-19’s commitment to fixing the MSP at a level 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 105 percent for wheat, 98 percent for rapeseed & mustard, 89 percent for lentil, 60 percent for gram, 60 percent for barley, and 50 percent for safflower. The increased MSP will provide farmers with remunerative prices and encourage crop diversification.