The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has released its weekly progress report on crop sowing for the kharif season as of 21 August 2026. The data tracks how much land farmers across India have planted with various crops compared to last year at the same time. Overall, the total area under cultivation stands slightly below the previous year’s figures.
What the numbers show
Across all major crops, India has seen 1,056.70 lakh hectares sown so far this kharif season, down by 16.07 lakh hectares from the same period last year. Rice cultivation covers 405.10 lakh hectares, a decline of 13.19 lakh hectares. This drop is concentrated in southern and eastern states, particularly Karnataka, Telangana, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha, though Assam has increased rice planting.
Pulse planting has grown by 1.49 lakh hectares to reach 113.63 lakh hectares overall. Urad and tur are showing gains, while moong has dropped slightly. Uttar Pradesh has led this increase, followed by Telangana, Jharkhand and Rajasthan, but Maharashtra and Karnataka show reduced pulse acreage.
Shree Anna and coarse cereals cover 176.36 lakh hectares, down 3.45 lakh hectares. Maize area has contracted significantly, though bajra and jowar plantings have marginally increased. Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh have expanded cultivation of these crops.
Oilseed plantings remain nearly flat at 188.37 lakh hectares. Soybean acreage has decreased slightly while groundnut has grown. Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh show expansion despite losses in Rajasthan and Gujarat.
Cotton area has contracted marginally to 108.45 lakh hectares. Sugarcane acreage declined to 58.44 lakh hectares. Jute and mesta cultivation rose fractionally to 6.34 lakh hectares.
What this means for you
Farmers and agricultural traders should note the uneven pattern of planting across regions. Reduced rice cultivation in major producing states may influence grain availability and prices in coming months. The modest gains in pulses suggest better supply prospects for dal in the market. Agricultural policy makers will likely monitor whether the overall decline in planted area translates into lower harvests later in the season.