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Rabi crop planting in Rajasthan has seen a slower-than-expected start this season, with 42.17 lakh hectares covered by November 6, down from last year’s 49.44 lakh hectares. The state aims for increased acreage of 119.98 lakh hectares for crops like mustard and chickpeas (gram), but only 35.15% of this target has been achieved. Mustard planting stands at 25.73 lakh hectares, lower than the previous season, while chickpea and wheat plantings are also trailing last year’s pace. Despite a sluggish start, Rajasthan remains focused on expanding its sown area, particularly in key crops like mustard, gram, and wheat, which are crucial to India’s food security and agricultural economy.

Key Highlights

* Rajasthan's rabi planting is at 42.17 lh, lower than last year.

* Mustard coverage is at 25.73 lh, below last year’s 28.43 lh.

* Gram sowing reached 10.75 lh, lower than last year’s 12.53 lh.

* Wheat planting is slower, with only 1.59 lh covered so far.

* Barley acreage slightly increased, with 61,118 hectares sown.

The start of Rajasthan’s rabi cropping season has been sluggish, with key crops such as mustard and chickpea seeing slower planting progress than expected. As of November 6, the state has covered 42.17 lakh hectares (lh), slightly lower than the 49.44 lh recorded at the same point last year. Rajasthan, a crucial agricultural state, aims to cover 119.98 lh in total rabi acreage this year, surpassing last year’s 112.7 lh.

Price performance for mustard, Rajasthan's leading oilseed, is sensitive to planting pace. As of the latest update, mustard has been sown on 25.73 lh, falling behind last year’s 28.43 lh. With mustard prices likely to stay strong amid limited planting, Rajasthan is hopeful to meet its target of 40.5 lh. Similarly, gram, the primary winter pulse, has been sown on 10.75 lh—47.8% of the target of 22.5 lh, down from last year’s 12.53 lh, with a lower planted area signaling potential price rises in the near term.

Other crops are also seeing mixed performances. Wheat planting has reached just 1.59 lh, down from 2.06 lh last year, while barley has slightly increased to 61,118 hectares compared to 58,637 hectares last year. Despite slower sowing overall, Rajasthan remains determined to achieve higher acreage goals, particularly with wheat and barley, which are critical for food grain stability.

Finally

Rajasthan’s slower-than-expected rabi planting may impact crop prices, especially for mustard and gram. However, there’s optimism for progress as the season advances.

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