Archive · 22 Sep 2026
India’s Kharif Acreage Gap Narrows Despite Rainfall Deficit
Indian farmers had planted almost as much kharif farmland as they did last year by 18 September.
The total was 110.39 million hectares, just 1.3% lower than last year.
However, some important crops, including rice, maize, cotton and sugarcane, covered less land.
Farmers planted more pulses, coarse cereals and some oilseeds.
Rice acreage fell to 42.9 million hectares.
Pulse acreage rose to 11.9 million hectares.
Rainfall was 15% below normal, and dry periods could hurt crop growth.
Experts said India must produce more from each hectare and manage farmland sustainably.
The southwest monsoon was expected to continue withdrawing from several northern and western areas.
Farmers sowed 110.39 million hectares of kharif crops by 18 September, 1.3% below last year.
Rice acreage fell 3.7% to 42.9 million hectares, while maize, cotton and sugarcane also declined.
Pulse acreage increased 1.4% to 11.9 million hectares, with gains across several states.
Coarse cereals and oilseeds edged higher, although soybean and groundnut acreage decreased.
The India Meteorological Department forecast further southwest monsoon withdrawal amid a 15% rainfall deficit.
- Who
- Indian farmers, the agriculture ministry and the India Meteorological Department are central to the report.
- What
- Kharif sowing reached 110.39 million hectares, 1.3% below the previous year, with mixed results across crops.
- When
- The acreage data covers sowing as of 18 September; further monsoon withdrawal was forecast over the next 2–3 days.
- Where
- India, including states such as Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana and Gujarat.
- Why
- Uneven rainfall, a 15% rainfall deficit and dry spells are affecting crop growth and sowing patterns.
- Total kharif acreage
- 110.39 million hectares as of 18 September
- Year-on-year change
- Down 1.3%, or about 1.5 million hectares
- Normal benchmark
- Approximately 110.4 million hectares
- Rice acreage
- 42.9 million hectares, down 3.7% year-on-year
- Pulse acreage
- 11.9 million hectares, up 1.4% year-on-year
- Rainfall deficit
- 15%
- Cotton acreage
- 10.9 million hectares, compared with 11 million hectares last year
- Sugarcane acreage
- 5.84 million hectares, compared with 5.88 million hectares last year