Archive · 27 Nov 2025
Chana Acreage Steady Amid Wheat Competition
Farmers in India are planting about the same amount of chana (chickpeas) as last year.
In some places like Gujarat and Rajasthan, they are planting a bit more.
But in Madhya Pradesh, farmers are choosing to plant more wheat because it gives them better money.
The price of chana is not very high, and some chana is also being imported from Australia at lower prices.
So, farmers are not very excited to plant chana.
The government has set a price for chana next year, but right now, the prices are not very good for farmers.
Chana acreage during the 2025-26 rabi season is expected to be steady with a slight increase over last year.
Higher planting in Gujarat and Rajasthan is expected to offset a potential decline in Madhya Pradesh.
Farmers in Madhya Pradesh are preferring wheat and maize due to higher returns.
Chana acreage as of November 21, 2025, is 53.71 lakh hectares, up from 49.30 lakh hectares in the corresponding period last year.
The Centre has announced an MSP of ₹5,875 for the 2026-27 chana crop, but current domestic prices range between ₹5,500 and ₹5,800 per quintal.
- Who
- Farmers in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka
- What
- Chana acreage remains steady with slight increase, competition from wheat and mustard
- When
- 2025-26 rabi season
- Where
- India (Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka)
- Why
- Higher returns from wheat and maize, lower chana prices, competition from mustard
- Current Chana Acreage
- 53.71 lakh hectares (as of November 21, 2025)
- Previous Year's Acreage
- 49.30 lakh hectares (corresponding period)
- MSP for 2026-27
- ₹5,875 per quintal
- Domestic Chana Prices
- ₹5,500 - ₹5,800 per quintal
- Imported Australian Chana Prices
- ₹5,400 - ₹5,525 per quintal
- Expected Chana Acreage Increase
- 10-15 lakh hectares in Gujarat
- Normal Chana Acreage in Gujarat
- 8.3 lakh hectares