Early Monsoon, MSP Hike Drive Kharif Moong Acreage Surge by Amit Gupta, Kedia Advisory
Early arrival of monsoon rains and a hike in the Minimum Support Price (MSP) have boosted kharif moong acreage by over 11% to 27.31 lakh hectares as of July 21. Rajasthan leads with a 16% rise in sowing, while Karnataka and Maharashtra also report steady planting. The MSP for moong has been raised to Rs.8,768 per quintal for 2025-26, supporting farmer sentiment along with robust procurement last year. However, excess rainfall in key regions poses a risk to yields. India’s overall moong production hit a record 38.19 lakh tonnes in 2024-25, driven by a surge in summer output.
Key Highlights
* Early monsoon arrival boosts kharif moong sowing by 11% to 27.31 lakh hectares.
* Rajasthan reports highest increase with acreage up 16% at 22.19 lakh hectares.
* MSP for moong raised to Rs.8,768/quintal for 2025-26 season, up from Rs.8,682.
* Excess rains in Rajasthan, Karnataka, and Maharashtra raise concerns over crop damage.
* India’s total moong output hit record 38.19 lakh tonnes in 2024-25.
Moong (greengram) prices may stay firm in the near term as early monsoon rains and a hike in the Minimum Support Price (MSP) have driven a sharp rise in kharif moong acreage this season. As of July 21, the area under moong has grown by over 11% to 27.31 lakh hectares, compared to the same period last year.
Rajasthan, the leading producer, has seen acreage surge by 16% to 22.19 lakh hectares, while Maharashtra has planted around 2.02 lakh hectares. Karnataka’s acreage has remained stable at about 4.1 lakh hectares, but excess rains in these States have raised concerns about potential damage to standing crops.
Strong government support through higher MSPs continues to lift sentiment among farmers. For the 2025-26 season, the MSP for moong has been increased to Rs.8,768 per quintal, slightly up from last year’s Rs.8,682. Steady procurement by government agencies in earlier seasons has also encouraged farmers to expand sowing.
Experts highlight that moong remains more attractive than other kharif pulses like tur and urad because of its short crop cycle of 60-80 days and quicker returns. However, industry players are cautious about the excess rainfall in Rajasthan and Maharashtra. If rains recede soon, yields could be 20% higher than last year, say millers and traders.
India’s total moong production touched a record 38.19 lakh tonnes in 2024-25, driven by strong summer output of 19.74 lakh tonnes, while kharif moong contributed 17.47 lakh tonnes.
In conclusion, while favourable policies and timely rains support moong acreage, excess rainfall remains a risk. Traders expect stable to firm prices if weather conditions turn favourable soon.
Above views are of the author and not of the website kindly read disclaimer
