India’s Kharif Pulses Sowing Crosses 111 Lakh Hectares Despite Yield Concerns

Total acreage under kharif pulses in India has surpassed the previous year’s figures, reaching 111.46 lakh hectares as of August 28. Sowing recovered after initial monsoon delays, though erratic weather conditions continue to raise concerns over crop productivity.

What Happened

Data recorded up to August 28 shows that the area dedicated to kharif pulses expanded by 1.68 per cent compared to 109.62 lakh hectares during the same timeframe last year. In the early stretch of the season, sowing was affected by the late arrival and sluggish advancement of the South-West monsoon. However, improved rainfall over western and central regions in subsequent weeks supported a recovery in planting operations.

The overall expansion has been driven by increased sowing of urad, tur, and moth bean, offsetting a decline in moong bean coverage. Despite the recovery in total planted area, delayed planting and irregular precipitation patterns across several belts are expected to keep crop yields under pressure.

Key Highlights

• Overall Sowing Expansion: Kharif pulses acreage climbed to 111.46 lakh hectares from 109.62 lakh hectares a year earlier.
• Crop Variations: Higher acreages were recorded for urad, tur, and moth bean, whereas moong bean saw widespread reductions.
• Tur Area Marginally Higher: Tur coverage reached 44.59 lakh hectares, slightly above the 44.31 lakh hectares recorded last year and the normal area for this stage. Acreage dropped in key states including Karnataka (down 11 per cent to 12.63 lakh hectares), Madhya Pradesh (down 15 per cent to 2.74 lakh hectares), and Maharashtra (down 1.56 per cent to 11.98 lakh hectares), but increased in Uttar Pradesh (up 33 per cent to 4.95 lakh hectares), Andhra Pradesh (up 20 per cent to 2.3 lakh hectares), Telangana (up 16 per cent to 2.22 lakh hectares), Chhattisgarh (up 9 per cent to 1.03 lakh hectares), and Jharkhand (up over 51 per cent to 2.05 lakh hectares). Gujarat remained steady at 2.71 lakh hectares.
• Urad Performance: Sowing grew in northern and central states such as Uttar Pradesh (up 61 per cent to 6.14 lakh hectares), Rajasthan (up 27 per cent to 3.99 lakh hectares), and Madhya Pradesh (up 19 per cent to 7.07 lakh hectares), alongside gains in Gujarat. Conversely, sharp declines occurred in Maharashtra (down 47 per cent to 1.98 lakh hectares) and Karnataka (down 21 per cent to 0.77 lakh hectares).
• Moong Sowing Declines: Key producing states saw dips in moong acreage, including Maharashtra (down 30 per cent to 1.47 lakh hectares), Karnataka (down 7.14 per cent to 3.9 lakh hectares), and Rajasthan (down 1.5 per cent to 23.17 lakh hectares).

Why This Matters

Rahul Chauhan of IGrain India pointed out that an increase in cultivated area does not automatically translate to higher harvest volumes because productivity is a critical factor. Sowing progressed at a slower pace throughout the season, and states such as Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh recorded deficient rainfall. Consequently, final production remains vulnerable despite the recovery in gross planted area.

What to Watch Next

Yield outcomes will depend heavily on the rainfall pattern during September. According to Rahul Chauhan of IGrain India, if September rainfall remains low as forecasted by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), pulse crop productivity could experience further strain.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the total acreage under kharif pulses as of August 28?

The total area planted with kharif pulses reached 111.46 lakh hectares, an increase of 1.68 per cent compared to 109.62 lakh hectares recorded in the corresponding period of the previous year.

Which pulses saw an increase in acreage?

Tur, urad, and moth bean recorded an increase in acreage, helping lift total pulses coverage beyond last year’s level.

Why are crop yields expected to remain under pressure?

Yields could be impacted due to the slower pace of planting, delayed early sowing, and erratic precipitation across multiple states including Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh.

Source: The Hindu BusinessLine