Archive · 23 Jul 2025
Indian Farmers Shift to Maize Amid Soybean, Cotton Acreage Decline
Farmers in India are planting more maize and less soybean and cotton.
This is because of lower prices for soybean and cotton.
The total area of land used for growing crops is around 708.31 lakh hectares this year.
Maize is being used more for making ethanol.
Some farmers are worried that soybean prices will go down even further after the harvest, as current prices are below the government's minimum support price.
Indian farmers are shifting towards maize cultivation.
Maize acreage increased to 71.21 lakh hectares this year.
Soybean acreage decreased by 6% to 111.67 lakh hectares.
Cotton acreage also decreased to 98.55 lakh hectares.
Concerns exist regarding soybean price and market conditions.
- Who
- Indian farmers.
- What
- Shift in crop cultivation towards maize, with declines in soybean and cotton.
- When
- During the kharif sowing season, as of July 21.
- Where
- Across India.
- Why
- Due to lower-than-expected market prices and increased demand for maize.
- Total Sowing Area (as of July 21)
- 708.31 lakh hectares
- Maize Acreage (this year)
- 71.21 lakh hectares
- Soybean Acreage (this year)
- 111.67 lakh hectares
- Cotton Acreage (this year)
- 98.55 lakh hectares
- Soybean Price (wholesale)
- Rs 4,000 per quintal
- Soybean MSP
- Rs 5,328 per quintal