Rabi Crops Make Steady Progress This Year

As the sowing season draws to a close in January, India’s rabi crop coverage shows a modest improvement compared to last year. By December 27, farmers had sown crops on 97 percent of the usual rabi area, based on a five-year average. This translates to 6.149 million hectares, slightly up from 6.118 million hectares during the same period last year, according to the Agriculture Ministry.

Pulses Lead the Way, While Oilseeds Struggle

Farmers have planted 1.361 million hectares of pulses, showing a small but positive gain over last year’s 1.360 million hectares. Chana (gram), the star performer, expanded to 0.939 million hectares, slightly up from 0.931 million hectares in 2023. However, the lentil (masur) crop saw a 1.9 percent decline, dropping to 0.174 million hectares.

On the oilseeds front, the story is less promising. Mustard planting has slowed, with a 5.6 percent drop from last year, while safflower and other oilseed crops also saw reduced acreage. Groundnut managed a small recovery, but it wasn’t enough to offset the overall decline in oilseed planting.

Wheat Gets a Boost as States Offer Incentives

Wheat acreage has grown by 2.2 percent to 3.197 million hectares, a turnaround from its slow start earlier in the season. States like Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh have encouraged wheat cultivation by offering bonuses over the minimum support price (MSP). These incentives seem to be paying off, with more farmers opting to grow wheat this year.

Other cereals also showed mixed results. Paddy area expanded by 5.6 percent, while maize planting rose by a notable 8 percent. Barley, however, dropped by 5.6 percent, reflecting changing preferences among growers.

The government is aiming high for the 2024-25 crop year, setting a production goal of 115 million tonnes of wheat alongside ambitious targets for rice, maize, chana, mustard, and barley. These crops are critical to India’s food security, contributing nearly 48 percent of the country’s annual grain output.

Conclusion: Progress & Challenges

While the rabi season shows steady progress, challenges remain. Erratic weather has kept farmers on edge, and the reduced acreage of oilseeds like mustard may impact domestic supplies. However, gains in pulses and wheat planting offer hope for meeting production goals. As the season advances, the performance of these key crops will play a pivotal role in ensuring food security and stabilizing markets.





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