India’s agriculture sector is witnessing a wave of optimism this year as the latest data shows a substantial rise in summer crop sowing. As per figures released by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, the total area covered under summer crops has reached 83.93 lakh hectares as of May 30, 2025, showing a notable increase of 9.21 lakh hectares compared to the same period last year.
Let’s break down the performance crop-wise:
Rice Leads the Way
Rice has shown an impressive jump, with 35.86 lakh hectares sown this year compared to 31.06 lakh hectares in 2024. This 4.80 lakh hectare rise indicates growing interest among farmers, likely driven by stable water availability, good market prices, and better yields in previous seasons.
Pulses Gain Momentum
The total pulse coverage rose to 24.25 lakh hectares, up by 2.77 lakh hectares from last year:
- Greengram (Moong): 21.00 lakh ha (↑ 2.27 lakh ha)
- Blackgram (Urad): 3.07 lakh ha (↑ 0.50 lakh ha)
- Other Pulses: 0.18 lakh ha (steady)
The rise in pulses sowing aligns with increasing demand for protein-rich crops and government support for pulse production.
Shree Anna (Millets & Coarse Cereals) See Renewed Interest
The millet movement continues to make strides. Shree Anna crops now cover 14.37 lakh hectares, up from 12.95 lakh hectares in 2024:
- Maize remains the star performer with 8.80 lakh hectares, increasing by 1.43 lakh hectares.
- Jowar and Ragi also saw slight gains.
- Bajra saw a marginal decline of 0.06 lakh ha, while small millets remained stable.
This increase reflects the impact of the Government of India’s millet promotion campaign and consumer shifts towards healthier grains.
Oilseeds Maintain Steady Growth
Oilseeds recorded a modest growth, increasing from 9.23 lakh hectares in 2024 to 9.45 lakh hectares in 2025:
- Groundnut: 4.31 lakh ha (↑ 0.20 lakh ha)
- Sunflower: 0.36 lakh ha (↑ 0.06 lakh ha)
- Sesamum: 4.70 lakh ha (↓ 0.03 lakh ha)
This growth reflects consistent demand for edible oils and farmer inclination towards oilseed profitability.
Total Summer Sown Area at a Glance
| Crop Category | 2025 Area (lakh ha) | 2024 Area (lakh ha) | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rice | 35.86 | 31.06 | +4.80 |
| Pulses | 24.25 | 21.48 | +2.77 |
| Shree Anna & Coarse Cereals | 14.37 | 12.95 | +1.42 |
| Oilseeds | 9.45 | 9.23 | +0.22 |
| Total | 83.93 | 74.72 | +9.21 |
Looking Ahead: A Positive Outlook for Kharif
This remarkable increase in summer sowing reflects rising confidence among farmers and favorable agronomic conditions. With the monsoon around the corner and proactive government schemes, experts anticipate continued progress in the upcoming Kharif season as well.
