Agriculture Ministry Expects Improvement in Kharif Crop Acreage

17-Jul-2026 07:11 PM

New Delhi: Although the cultivation area for Kharif crops is lagging significantly behind last year's figures due to the sluggish pace and inactivity of the monsoon, the Union Ministry of Agriculture remains confident that the pace of sowing could pick up over time, leading to a gradual improvement in acreage.

In fact, by July 10, the cultivation area for Kharif crops had witnessed a sharp decline of over 100 lakh (10 million) hectares compared to the previous year, causing considerable concern for the Agriculture Ministry. The situation is expected to become clearer once the sowing data for the current week is released.

According to the Meteorological Department, the Southwest Monsoon is currently active in some states, and heavy rainfall is likely in several other regions next week. This could significantly assist farmers in accelerating the pace of Kharif crop sowing. With approximately one and a half to two months remaining for Kharif cultivation, the government will certainly aim to make full use of this period to boost the sowing acreage.