India’s summer sowing 2025: A 6.5 lakh hectare increase over last year

The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India, has released the latest progress report on the area coverage under summer crops for the year 2025. The data provides insights into the current sowing trends and highlights a notable increase in the area sown compared to the previous year. As of March 7, 2025, the total area covered under summer crops stands at 37.539 lakh hectares, marking an increase of 6.538 lakh hectares over last year’s 31.001 lakh hectares. This substantial rise in sowing indicates favorable climatic conditions and proactive efforts by farmers and the government to maximize crop coverage.

Rice Cultivation Sees a Strong Surge

Rice continues to be the dominant summer crop, with an area coverage of 27.134 lakh hectares in 2025, as compared to 24.330 lakh hectares in 2024. This increase of 2.804 lakh hectares demonstrates a significant push in rice cultivation, likely supported by improved irrigation facilities and government initiatives aimed at ensuring sufficient water availability. The normal summer area for rice is estimated at 30.795 lakh hectares, indicating that sowing is progressing well and is expected to reach near-normal levels.

Pulses Witness Remarkable Growth

One of the most notable increases in sowing has been observed in pulses, where the total area sown has reached 5.016 lakh hectares, up from 2.052 lakh hectares last year. This impressive growth of 2.964 lakh hectares highlights the rising interest among farmers in cultivating pulses, driven by market demand and favorable price support mechanisms. Among the different varieties, greengram (moong) has experienced the highest increase, with 3.584 lakh hectares under cultivation in 2025 compared to just 1.337 lakh hectares in 2024—an increase of 2.247 lakh hectares. Similarly, blackgram (urad) has expanded by 0.670 lakh hectares, reaching 1.304 lakh hectares this year. Other pulses have shown a marginal increase as well, contributing to the overall growth in this category.

Shree Anna cum Coarse Cereals Show Consistent Expansion

The Shree Anna cum Coarse Cereals category, which includes jowar, bajra, ragi, small millets, and maize, has collectively registered an increase of 0.894 lakh hectares in area coverage. The total area sown under these crops stands at 2.882 lakh hectares in 2025, up from 1.988 lakh hectares in 2024. Maize leads the growth in this segment, expanding by 0.435 lakh hectares to reach 1.970 lakh hectares. Jowar has also witnessed a notable rise from 0.067 lakh hectares last year to 0.298 lakh hectares this year. Bajra, ragi, and small millets have followed suit with modest increases, indicating a steady interest in coarse cereals, which play a crucial role in sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture.

Oilseeds Show a Slight Decline

Unlike other crops, oilseeds have witnessed a minor decline in sowing, with the total area reducing from 2.631 lakh hectares in 2024 to 2.507 lakh hectares in 2025. This drop of 0.124 lakh hectares can be attributed to the decreased sowing of groundnut, which saw a reduction of 0.123 lakh hectares. Other oilseeds, including sesamum, have shown marginal growth, while sunflower cultivation increased slightly by 0.020 lakh hectares. The decline in oilseeds could be due to shifting farmer preferences towards more lucrative crops such as pulses and rice, or challenges related to weather conditions affecting sowing patterns.

Overall Trends and Future Projections

The overall increase in summer crop sowing by 6.538 lakh hectares suggests that farmers are optimistic about the season. Favorable weather, improved irrigation, and government incentives have likely contributed to this growth. The most significant increase has been observed in pulses, particularly greengram, followed by rice. The steady growth in coarse cereals indicates a diversification in cropping patterns, while the slight dip in oilseeds suggests possible market-driven shifts.

As summer sowing continues, it is expected that the total cultivated area will move closer to the normal summer area of 71.343 lakh hectares. If favorable conditions persist, India could achieve a near-normal sowing area, ensuring stable food production and supply for the upcoming season. The government’s continued support through subsidies, improved seed varieties, and enhanced irrigation facilities will be critical in sustaining this positive trend in Indian agriculture.

Summer Sowing Area Coverage (as of March 7, 2025)