New Delhi, Feb 2 (NationPress) The overall area cultivated with rabi crops during this winter season has expanded by 15.88 lakh hectares, bringing the total to 676.84 lakh hectares as of January 30 this year. This is a notable increase from 660.96 lakh hectares reported during the same timeframe last year, according to data shared by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare on Monday.

This rise in the sown area is projected to enhance production levels, thereby potentially increasing farmer incomes and contributing to controlling food inflation.

According to official statistics, the land allocated to wheat has surged by 6.13 lakh hectares, reaching 334.17 lakh hectares compared to 328.04 lakh hectares during the same period of the previous year.

Additionally, the area dedicated to pulses, including urad, lentils (masur), gram, and moong, has increased by 5.03 lakh hectares to 139.55 lakh hectares, up from 134.52 lakh hectares last year.

Land under coarse cereals or millets such as jowar, bajra, and ragi has also seen a rise, with an increase of 0.94 lakh hectares to 60.93 lakh hectares this season, compared to 59.99 lakh hectares a year ago.

Furthermore, the area allocated for oilseeds, such as rapeseed and mustard, has grown by 3.52 lakh hectares, reaching 97.19 lakh hectares from 93.67 lakh hectares in the same period last year.

The increase in sown area this season can be attributed to improved monsoon rains, which have benefited the sowing in unirrigated regions that account for nearly 50% of the nation’s farmland.

In another significant development, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved an increase in the minimum support prices (MSP) for all designated rabi crops for the 2026-27 marketing season on October 1 last year, ensuring favorable prices for growers.

The MSP is announced well in advance of the sowing season, allowing farmers to formulate their cropping strategies in order to maximize their profits.

The most substantial increase in MSP was for safflower at Rs 600 per quintal, followed by lentil (masur) at Rs 300 per quintal. Other crops such as rapeseed & mustard, gram, barley, and wheat received increases of Rs 250, Rs 225, Rs 170, and Rs 160 per quintal, respectively.

The MSP adjustments align with the Union Budget 2018-19 commitment to set the MSP at a level of at least 1.5 times the All-India weighted average production cost. The anticipated margin over this cost is 109% for wheat, 93% for rapeseed & mustard, 89% for lentil, 59% for gram, 58% for barley, and 50% for safflower. This MSP increase aims to ensure favorable prices for farmers and encourage crop diversification.

The production costs for these crops encompass all expenses incurred, including costs for hired labor, bullock or machine labor, land rent, material inputs like seeds, fertilizers, irrigation expenses, depreciation on implements and buildings, interest on working capital, and more, as clarified in the official statement.