Has the total area sown under kharif crops exceeded 137.8 lakh hectares?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Area sown under kharif crops reaches 137.84 lakh hectares.
- Significant increase from 124.88 lakh hectares last year.
- Improved climatic conditions have aided sowing.
- MSP adjustments ensure better returns for farmers.
- Increased production is essential for controlling inflation.
New Delhi, June 23 (NationPress) The area cultivated for kharif crops has reached 137.84 lakh hectares this year, a significant increase from 124.88 lakh hectares in the same timeframe last year, according to data released by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare on Monday.
This growth of 12.97 lakh hectares in the initial phase of the season is promising for enhanced production, which is expected to boost farmers' incomes and help stabilize food inflation.
The official data indicates that the area designated for rice, currently in the initial stages of sowing, stands at 13.22 lakh hectares as of June 20, compared to 8.37 lakh hectares during the previous year.
Additionally, the area allocated for pulses such as Urd and Moog has increased to 9.44 lakh hectares from 6.63 lakh hectares last year.
This early season increase of 2.8 lakh hectares in pulses is a positive sign, as higher production is crucial for managing inflation.
The area under cotton has grown by 2.12 lakh hectares, reaching 31.25 lakh hectares in comparison to 29.12 lakh hectares in the previous season.
The rise in cotton acreage is advantageous for the labor-intensive textiles sector.
The coverage of coarse cereals, including millets like jowar, bajra, and ragi, has surged to 18.33 lakh hectares this season, up from 14.77 lakh hectares last year.
Improved monsoon rains have facilitated sowing in unirrigated regions, which comprise nearly 50% of the nation’s farmland.
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved an increase in Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for 14 kharif crops for the marketing season 2025-26 to provide better prices for growers and encourage higher production.
The most substantial MSP increase over last year has been suggested for nigerseed (Rs.820 per quintal), followed by Ragi (Rs 596), Cotton (Rs 589), and Sesamum (Rs 579).