Ministry of Agriculture Kharif Crop Progress Report 2026
The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare released the progress of area coverage under Kharif crops as of July 10, 2026, showing a total sown area of 531.25 lakh hectares, which represents a decrease of 1.44 lakh hectares compared to the same period in 2025 when area stood at 532.69 lakh hectares. Compared to the normal area (average of 2020-21 to 2024-25) of 549.36 lakh hectares, the current sowing is lower by 18.11 lakh hectares.
Rice cultivation shows a significant decline with area sown at 114.69 lakh hectares, down 10.84 lakh hectares from 125.53 lakh hectares in 2025. Compared to the normal area of 97.74 lakh hectares, rice sowing is currently higher by 16.95 lakh hectares.
Pulses have experienced a substantial decrease with total area at 56.63 lakh hectares, down 17.22 lakh hectares from 73.85 lakh hectares in 2025. Within pulses, Arhar shows 19.54 lakh hectares (down 8.49 lakh hectares YoY), Urd bean at 9.34 lakh hectares (down 3.95 lakh hectares), Moong bean at 21.52 lakh hectares (down 2.56 lakh hectares), with Moth bean showing 4.40 lakh hectares (down 1.72 lakh hectares).
Shri Anna cum Coarse cereals total 98.69 lakh hectares, down 28.61 lakh hectares from 127.30 lakh hectares in 2025. Bajra shows 33.76 lakh hectares (down 12.22 lakh hectares), Jowar at 6.88 lakh hectares (down 2.13 lakh hectares), while Maize stands at 55.97 lakh hectares (down 13.59 lakh hectares).
Oilseeds demonstrate a significant decline with total area at 117.83 lakh hectares, down 31.34 lakh hectares from 149.18 lakh hectares in 2025. Groundnut shows 23.40 lakh hectares (down 12.05 lakh hectares), Soybean at 90.51 lakh hectares (down 17.21 lakh hectares), while Sunflower shows a marginal increase to 0.86 lakh hectares (up 0.33 lakh hectares).
Sugarcane is one of the few categories showing improvement with area at 57.58 lakh hectares, up 0.86 lakh hectares from 56.72 lakh hectares in 2025. Jute & Mesta also shows a marginal increase to 6.28 lakh hectares (up 0.12 lakh hectares). Cotton area stands at 79.54 lakh hectares, down 14.41 lakh hectares from 93.95 lakh hectares in 2025.