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Pulses & Ragi see growth as India records 36.22 lakh hectares under summer crops
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Saturday, 21 March, 2026, 12 : 00 PM [IST]
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Our Bureau, New Delhi
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The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare has released the latest data on summer crop sowing for the 2026 season, revealing an area coverage of 36.22 lakh hectares as of March 13. While the overall coverage shows a slight decrease compared to the 37.25 lakh hectares recorded during the same period last year, specific segments like pulses and nutritious cereals have shown promising growth.
One of the most notable highlights of the report is the expansion of pulses. The area under pulses has surged to 2.25 lakh hectares, up from 1.74 lakh hectares in the corresponding period of 2025. This growth is primarily driven by Green Gram (Moong), which now covers 1.33 lakh hectares, and Black Gram (Urad), covering 0.71 lakh hectares. The increase reflects the government's ongoing efforts to bolster domestic pulse production and ensure nutritional security.
The coverage for 'Shree Anna' (Coarse Cereals) stands at 4.14 lakh hectares. While Maize and Bajra have seen a marginal dip in sowing compared to last year, Ragi has witnessed a significant percentage increase, rising to 0.19 lakh hectares from 0.11 lakh hectares in 2025. Rice, the largest component of summer sowing, currently covers 26.75 lakh hectares, a decrease of approximately 1.22 lakh hectares from the previous year’s levels.
The oilseeds sector has maintained a steady pace with 3.08 lakh hectares sown so far. Groundnut remains the dominant crop in this category, covering 2.00 lakh hectares, followed by Sesamum and Sunflower.
The Ministry monitors these sowing patterns closely to evaluate water availability and climate conditions. With the normal summer area estimated at 75.37 lakh hectares based on the 2022-23 to 2024-25 averages, the current data suggests a stable start to the season, with a strategic shift toward high-value and climate-resilient crops like pulses and millets.
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