The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare released data on 8 September 2026 showing that farmers across India have sown crops on 1086.31 lakh hectares during the kharif season as of 4 September 2026. The report tracks area coverage for major monsoon crops and compares current sowing with last year’s figures and historical averages. This data helps the government monitor crop production and plan support measures during the growing season.
Crop-by-Crop Breakdown
Rice covers 421.82 lakh hectares, down from 438.19 lakh hectares in the corresponding period last year. The decline of 16.37 lakh hectares is concentrated in southern and central states. Karnataka alone accounts for a 4.28 lakh hectare reduction, followed by Telangana (3.61 lakh hectares), Andhra Pradesh (1.91 lakh hectares), and Uttar Pradesh (1.84 lakh hectares).
Pulses show improvement, with 123.63 lakh hectares sown across all pulse varieties, exceeding last year’s 115.30 lakh hectares by 1.84 lakh hectares. Urad expanded by 2.68 lakh hectares while tur increased by 0.72 lakh hectares. Uttar Pradesh led the gains with 3.97 lakh hectares additional area.
Shri Anna and coarse cereals account for 182.63 lakh hectares. Bajra expanded by 1.99 lakh hectares compared to last year, but overall category remains marginally below the five-year normal. Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha showed significant increases offsetting declines in Karnataka and Maharashtra.
Oilseeds cover 200.08 lakh hectares with soybean forming the bulk at 128.71 lakh hectares. Despite a marginal overall decrease from last year, gains in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh partially offset losses in Rajasthan and Gujarat.
Cotton is sown on 125.51 lakh hectares, declining from 109.87 lakh hectares last year by 0.69 lakh hectares. Telangana and Gujarat expanded their coverage while Rajasthan and Haryana contracted.
Jute and mesta registered the only gains among traditional crops, expanding to 6.39 lakh hectares from 6.24 lakh hectares last year, with Bihar and West Bengal driving the increase.
Sugarcane covers 54.20 lakh hectares with minimal year-on-year change of 0.40 lakh hectares.
What this means for you
If you farm pulses or coarse cereals in states like Uttar Pradesh, your crop area is expanding and may receive greater policy attention. Rice farmers in southern states face tighter conditions as acreage shrinks. Cotton and oilseed growers in Rajasthan and Gujarat should monitor government support announcements. Overall, the data helps predict monsoon-crop supply levels and potential commodity price movements in coming months.