New Delhi, Sep 29 (NationPress) The overall area cultivated for kharif crops this season has seen a rise of 7.01 lakh hectares, reaching 1,120.73 lakh hectares as of September 26. This marks an increase from 1113.72 lakh hectares during the same timeframe last year, according to data released by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.

This expansion in sown area is anticipated to result in enhanced production levels, which could subsequently elevate farmers' incomes and assist in controlling food inflation.

Official statistics indicate that the area designated for rice has reached 441.58 lakh hectares, increasing by 5.91 lakh hectares from 435.68 lakh hectares in the same period last year.

The area allocated for pulses, including urad and moong, has risen to 119.85 lakh hectares, up from 118.95 lakh hectares during the corresponding period last year.

Additionally, land used for coarse cereals or millets, such as jowar, bajra, and ragi, has surged by 12.01 lakh hectares to 194.67 lakh hectares this season, compared to 182.66 lakh hectares in the previous year.

The area under sugarcane has also expanded to 59.07 lakh hectares, which is 1.86 lakh hectares more than the 57.22 lakh hectares reported last year.

This increase in sown area this season is attributed to improved monsoon rains, facilitating sowing in unirrigated regions of India, which constitute nearly 50 percent of the nation's agricultural land.

On May 28 of this year, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, sanctioned a rise in the Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for 14 kharif crops for the marketing season 2025-26, aiming to ensure fair prices for producers and encourage greater output.

The most significant absolute increase in MSP over the previous year is proposed for nigerseed (Rs 820 per quintal), followed by ragi (Rs 596 per quintal), cotton (Rs 589 per quintal), and sesamum (Rs 579 per quintal).