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India's Kharif sowing reached 1,103.90 lakh hectares as of 18 September 2026, down 15.05 lakh hectares, or 1.35%, from 1,118.95 lakh hectares last year. Rice acreage declined 3.73%, while total pulses increased 1.45%, supported by higher tur and urad sowing. Total oilseed acreage was almost unchanged, with groundnut marginally lower but sesamum and sunflower recording gains. Sunflower acreage surged 84.34% year-on-year, while sesamum increased 13.22%. Soybean acreage declined 0.72% and castorseed fell 9.05%. Cotton acreage also declined 0.90%, while coarse cereal acreage increased marginally. Overall, sowing remains mixed across major crops.

Key Highlights

*   Total Kharif sowing reached 1,103.90 lakh hectares, down 15.05 lakh hectares or 1.35% year-on-year.

*   Rice acreage declined 3.73% to 429.28 lakh hectares, remaining below last year's coverage.

*  Total pulses acreage increased 1.45% to 119.65 lakh hectares, led by higher tur and urad.

*   Total oilseeds acreage was almost unchanged at 194.76 lakh hectares, despite mixed crop trends.

*   Sunflower acreage surged 84.34%, while sesamum increased 13.22% and soybean declined 0.72%.

Agricultural commodity prices are likely to remain selectively supported as India's Kharif sowing remains below last year's level, although the overall acreage gap has narrowed. Lower rice acreage and declines in soybean, groundnut, castorseed and cotton could keep supply concerns active. At the same time, improved pulses, coarse cereals and selected oilseed acreage may offset some production concerns and create a mixed supply outlook across agricultural commodities.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, total Kharif sowing reached 1,103.90 lakh hectares as of 18 September 2026, compared with 1,118.95 lakh hectares during the corresponding period last year. The area was therefore 15.05 lakh hectares lower, representing a 1.35% decline. Rice acreage stood at 429.28 lakh hectares, down 3.73% year-on-year, while total pulses increased to 119.65 lakh hectares from 117.94 lakh hectares, registering a 1.45% gain.

Pulse acreage remained mixed. Tur increased 1.95% to 46.68 lakh hectares, while urad rose 11.97%. Moong acreage declined 3.94%, and other pulses fell 12.27%. Total coarse cereals increased marginally by 0.63%, with jowar and bajra gaining 9.39% and 3.29%, respectively, while maize declined 2.23%.

Total oilseed acreage was virtually unchanged at 194.76 lakh hectares against 194.75 lakh hectares last year. Sesamum acreage increased 13.22%, while sunflower surged 84.34%. However, soybean declined 0.72%, groundnut fell 0.26%, and castorseed dropped 9.05%. Cotton acreage also declined 0.90% to 109.61 lakh hectares.

Overall Kharif acreage remains below last year, supporting prices in weaker-sown crops, while stronger pulses and selected oilseed acreage may moderate supply concerns across agricultural markets.