Gujarat Kharif Sowing Remains Below Last Year's Level by Amit Gupta, Kedia Advisory
Gujarat's Kharif 2026 sowing reached 72,46,809 hectares as of 10 August 2026, covering 84.95% of the normal area of 85,30,803 hectares. The area remained below 74,85,746 hectares recorded during the corresponding period last year. Cereal acreage declined notably, while pulses showed modest growth. Oilseed sowing also remained lower overall, despite soybean and groundnut exceeding their normal acreage. Soybean reached 3,00,058 hectares, or 106.67% of normal, while groundnut stood at 20,40,861 hectares, or 106.55%. Cotton acreage improved from last year but remained below normal. Overall, sowing remains mixed across major crops.
Key Highlights
* Gujarat's total Kharif sowing reached 72,46,809 hectares, covering 84.95% of normal acreage.
* Statewide sowing remained 2,38,937 hectares below last year, indicating a 3.19% year-on-year decline.
* Soybean acreage reached 3,00,058 hectares, exceeding normal area by 6.67%.
* Groundnut sowing stood at 20,40,861 hectares, also above normal area at 106.55%.
* Total pulses increased from 3,48,162 to 3,57,035 hectares, while cereal and oilseed acreage declined year-on-year.
Agricultural commodity prices are likely to remain supported as Gujarat's Kharif sowing continues to lag the previous year's level, although progress in key oilseeds and pulses provides some relief to supply concerns. The latest data indicates a mixed crop scenario, with soybean and groundnut acreage already exceeding their normal levels, while cereals, several pulses and castor remain below their respective benchmarks.
According to the Gujarat Agriculture Department, total Kharif sowing reached 72,46,809 hectares as of 10 August 2026, compared with 74,85,746 hectares during the corresponding period last year. This represents a decline of 2,38,937 hectares, or approximately 3.19%. Total cereal acreage fell to 11,99,902 hectares from 12,88,784 hectares, while total oilseed acreage declined to 25,93,763 hectares from 26,94,015 hectares.
Pulse sowing provided a positive counterpoint, rising to 3,57,035 hectares from 3,48,162 hectares last year. Udid acreage reached 84,510 hectares, exceeding its normal area by 2.75%, while Tur covered 2,38,086 hectares, or 92.84% of normal. However, Moong remained weak at just 44.99% of normal acreage.
Among oilseeds, soybean reached 3,00,058 hectares, equivalent to 106.67% of normal area, while groundnut stood at 20,40,861 hectares, or 106.55% of normal. In contrast, castor and sesamum remained significantly below normal at 34.80% and 29.43%, respectively. Cotton sowing improved to 21,22,103 hectares, but remained below its normal level.
Gujarat's lower overall sowing remains supportive for agricultural prices, while strong soybean and groundnut acreage could moderate supply concerns in key oilseed markets.
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