According to data released by the Ministry of Agriculture as of March 27, 2026, the total area under summer (zaid) crops in India has recorded a slight decline compared to the previous year. So far, crops have been sown over 5.235 million hectares, as against 4.987 million hectares during the same period last year. However, when compared with the normal summer area (DES) and final estimates, a shortfall is visible in several crops.
Rice sowing during the current summer season stands at 3.069 million hectares, which is higher than last year’s 2.850 million hectares, but still below the normal levels. Overall, rice area shows a deficit of 0.219 million hectares, indicating slower expansion than expected.
Pulses have shown a relatively encouraging trend this season. The total area under pulses has reached 0.560 million hectares, reflecting stable to improved coverage compared to last year.
Mixed Signals in Course Cereals (Shree Anna):
The total area under coarse cereals, also referred to as Shree Anna, stands at 0.971 million hectares, marking a slight decline of 0.037 million hectares. While bajra has witnessed a marginal increase, crops like jowar and maize have recorded a decline. Ragi has shown a minor improvement.
Oilseeds Witness Contraction:
Oilseed crops have been sown over 0.634 million hectares, registering a decline of 0.037 million hectares compared to last year. Groundnut has seen a notable drop, while sunflower and sesamum have recorded slight gains.
Overall Sowing Trend: The total area under summer crops stands at 5.235 million hectares, reflecting an overall decline of 0.247 million hectares compared to the previous year.
FAQs:
Q1. What is the total area under summer crop sowing 2026?
The total area is 5.235 million hectares.
Q2. Has rice sowing increased in 2026?
Yes, rice sowing has increased compared to last year but is still below normal levels.
Q3. Which crop performed best in summer crop sowing 2026?
Pulses, especially moong, showed a positive trend.
Q4. Why is there a decline in oilseed area?
The decline is mainly due to reduced groundnut cultivation.
Q5. What factors affect summer crop sowing 2026?
Weather conditions, water availability, and market prices are key factors.
