Gujarat kharif sowing hits 70% as cotton, groundnut lead acreage in 2026
Synopsis
Gujarat's 2026 kharif season is running ahead of schedule on key crops — soybean has virtually hit its full normal area, groundnut is at 91 per cent, and pulse acreage has already surpassed last year's total. With castor sowing about to peak in August and paddy transplanting still ongoing, the state's final kharif coverage could comfortably exceed last year's numbers.
Key Takeaways
Gujarat has completed kharif sowing in 59.26 lakh hectares , or about 70 per cent of its normal area, as of 29 July 2026 .
Cotton leads at 20 lakh hectares ( 84% of normal), followed by groundnut at 17.50 lakh hectares ( 91% ).
Soybean has reached 99 per cent of its normal sowing area at 2.79 lakh hectares .
Pulse acreage improved year-on-year from 2.52 lakh hectares in 2025 to 2.85 lakh hectares in 2026 .
Castor acreage is expected to rise sharply over the next two weeks as its primary sowing window — August — begins.
Sorghum (jowar) acreage more than doubled year-on-year, from 4,319 hectares to 10,301 hectares .
Gujarat has completed kharif sowing across 59.26 lakh hectares — roughly 70 per cent of its normal cultivation area — with cotton and groundnut together accounting for more than three-fifths of total acreage sown so far in the 2026 kharif season, according to data released by the state Agriculture Department. Widespread monsoon rainfall across the state has driven the rapid pace of sowing.
Cotton and Groundnut Lead the Field
Cotton has been sown in the largest area at 20 lakh hectares, reaching 84 per cent of its normal sowing area. Groundnut follows closely at 17.50 lakh hectares, covering 91 per cent of its normal area. The figures reinforce farmers' continued preference for oilseed and cash crops in the state's kharif calendar.
Soybean has recorded the fastest proportional progress, with sowing completed in 2.79 lakh hectares — equivalent to 99 per cent of its normal sowing area, effectively reaching full coverage ahead of other crops.
Pulse Acreage Improves Year-on-Year
Pulse crop sowing has shown a notable improvement compared with the same period in 2025. The area under pulses has risen from 2.52 lakh hectares last year to 2.85 lakh hectares this season, representing 68 per cent of the normal pulse sowing area.
Pigeon pea (tur) has been sown in 1.94 lakh hectares, or 76 per cent of its normal area. Black gram (urad) has covered 70,772 hectares, reaching 86 per cent of its normal area. Green gram (moong), however, lags at 11,900 hectares — just 21 per cent of its normal area — indicating scope for further sowing in the weeks ahead.
Foodgrain and Paddy Progress
Foodgrain crops have been sown in 8.39 lakh hectares, accounting for 61 per cent of the normal area. Paddy leads at 4.63 lakh hectares, followed by maize at 2.54 lakh hectares — which has reached 90 per cent of its normal area. The department noted that paddy acreage is expected to rise further in the coming days, as it is primarily a transplanting crop with sowing typically extending later into the season.
Sorghum (jowar) has seen a sharp year-on-year jump, sown in 10,301 hectares this year against 4,319 hectares during the same period in 2025.
Other Crops and What to Watch
Castor has been sown in 52,655 hectares and sesame in 7,597 hectares. Officials expect castor acreage to increase significantly over the next two weeks, as the crop is primarily sown during August. Fodder crops stand at 5.21 lakh hectares, or 51 per cent of the normal area, while vegetable cultivation has covered 1.71 lakh hectares (64 per cent) and pearl millet (bajra) has been sown in 1.06 lakh hectares (60 per cent).
With castor sowing set to accelerate and paddy transplanting ongoing, Gujarat's total kharif acreage is expected to climb closer to its normal coverage over the next fortnight.
Point of View
But the crop mix tells a more pointed story. Cotton and groundnut together dominate well over half the sown area, concentrating income risk on two price-volatile commodities. Soybean's near-complete coverage is a positive signal for edible oil supply, but green gram's 21 per cent coverage is a concern for protein availability and pulse price stability. The year-on-year pulse improvement is welcome, yet the absolute area remains well below normal — a pattern that has repeatedly contributed to price spikes in the second half of the year. The real test will be whether August rains sustain the pace or expose over-reliance on a handful of cash crops.
NationPress
29 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How much of Gujarat's kharif sowing is complete in 2026?
As of 29 July 2026, Gujarat has completed kharif sowing in 59.26 lakh hectares, covering approximately 70 per cent of its normal cultivation area, according to the state Agriculture Department.
Which crops have the highest sowing coverage in Gujarat's 2026 kharif season?
Soybean leads proportionally at 99 per cent of its normal area (2.79 lakh hectares), followed by groundnut at 91 per cent and maize at 90 per cent. Cotton, the largest by absolute area at 20 lakh hectares, has reached 84 per cent of its normal coverage.
How does Gujarat's 2026 pulse acreage compare with 2025?
Pulse acreage has increased from 2.52 lakh hectares in the corresponding period of 2025 to 2.85 lakh hectares in 2026, representing 68 per cent of the normal pulse sowing area — an improvement, though still below the seasonal norm.
Why is paddy acreage expected to rise further?
Paddy, which has been sown in 4.63 lakh hectares so far, is primarily a transplanting crop, meaning its sowing window extends later into the season. Officials expect the acreage figure to climb further in the coming days as transplanting activity picks up.
When will castor sowing peak in Gujarat?
Castor is primarily sown during August, and officials expect a significant increase in its cultivated area — currently at 52,655 hectares — over the next two weeks as the main sowing window opens.
