Summer Sowing in India Gains Momentum; Area Coverage Reaches 21.30 Lakh Hectare as on February 20
24 February 2026, New Delhi: The summer sowing season has begun on a positive note across the country, with total area coverage reaching 21.30 lakh hectare as on 20 February 2026, compared to 20.38 lakh hectare during the corresponding period last year, registering an increase of 0.92 lakh hectare. The latest data released by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare indicates steady progress in summer crop coverage during the early phase of the season.
The normal summer area, calculated on the basis of average coverage from 2022-23 to 2024-25, is 75.37 lakh hectare. In comparison, the final summer area achieved in 2025 was significantly higher at 83.92 lakh hectare, suggesting that the current pace of sowing is aligned with previous expansion trends.
Progress of Area Coverage under Summer Crops as on 20th February 2026 (Area in Lakh Hectare)
| Sl. No. | Crops | Normal Summer Area (DES)* | Final Summer Area 2025 | Current Year (2026) | Corresponding Period of Last Year (2025) | Increase/Decrease over Corresponding Period of Last Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rice | 31.49 | 33.28 | 17.78 | 17.78 | 0.00 |
| 2 | Pulses | 23.40 | 27.07 | 0.91 | 0.76 | 0.15 |
| a | Greengram | 20.44 | 23.49 | 0.59 | 0.56 | 0.03 |
| b | Blackgram | 2.96 | 3.58 | 0.25 | 0.19 | 0.06 |
| c | Other Pulses | 0.00 | – | 0.07 | 0.01 | 0.00 |
| 3 | Shree Anna cum Coarse Cereals | 12.08 | 14.06 | 1.38 | 1.08 | 0.30 |
| a | Jowar | 0.34 | 0.36 | 0.04 | 0.03 | 0.02 |
| b | Bajra | 4.43 | 5.20 | 0.12 | 0.14 | -0.03 |
| c | Ragi | 0.31 | – | 0.15 | 0.02 | 0.13 |
| d | Small Millets | 0.02 | – | 0.01 | 0.00 | 0.01 |
| e | Maize | 6.98 | 8.50 | 1.06 | 0.89 | 0.17 |
| 4 | Oilseeds | 8.40 | 9.51 | 1.24 | 0.77 | 0.46 |
| a | Groundnut | 3.40 | 4.20 | 1.04 | 0.60 | 0.44 |
| b | Sunflower | 0.34 | 0.35 | 0.07 | 0.06 | 0.01 |
| c | Sesamum | 4.66 | 4.96 | 0.12 | 0.12 | 0.00 |
| d | Other Oilseeds | 0.00 | – | 0.01 | 0.00 | 0.01 |
| Total | 75.37 | 83.92 | 21.30 | 20.38 | 0.92 |
Rice Sowing Remains Stable
Rice continues to dominate summer cropping, with area coverage at 17.78 lakh hectare, identical to the area recorded during the corresponding period in 2025. The normal summer area for rice stands at 31.49 lakh hectare, while the final area reached last summer was 33.28 lakh hectare. The unchanged area so far indicates steady farmer participation in rice cultivation during the initial phase of the season.
Pulses Record Incremental Growth
Area under pulses has reached 0.91 lakh hectare compared to 0.76 lakh hectare during the same period last year, marking an increase of 0.15 lakh hectare. Within pulses, greengram has been sown over 0.59 lakh hectare compared to 0.56 lakh hectare last year. Blackgram coverage has increased to 0.25 lakh hectare from 0.19 lakh hectare in the corresponding period of 2025. Area under other pulses stands at 0.07 lakh hectare, compared to 0.01 lakh hectare last year.
The normal summer area for pulses is 23.40 lakh hectare, while final coverage in summer 2025 reached 27.07 lakh hectare, reflecting the potential for further expansion as the season progresses.
Shree Anna and Coarse Cereals Expand
Area under Shree Anna and coarse cereals has risen to 1.38 lakh hectare compared to 1.08 lakh hectare during the corresponding period last year, registering an increase of 0.30 lakh hectare. Jowar has been sown over 0.04 lakh hectare compared to 0.03 lakh hectare last year. Bajra area stands at 0.12 lakh hectare against 0.14 lakh hectare during the same period in 2025. Ragi has shown a notable rise, reaching 0.15 lakh hectare compared to 0.02 lakh hectare last year. Small millets account for 0.01 lakh hectare, up from negligible coverage last year. Maize area has increased to 1.06 lakh hectare from 0.89 lakh hectare in the corresponding period of 2025.
The normal area for this crop group is 12.08 lakh hectare, while final summer coverage in 2025 stood at 14.06 lakh hectare.
Oilseeds Show Strong Increase
Oilseeds have recorded one of the strongest increases so far this season. Area coverage has reached 1.24 lakh hectare compared to 0.77 lakh hectare during the same period last year, reflecting a rise of 0.46 lakh hectare. Groundnut leads the category with 1.04 lakh hectare compared to 0.60 lakh hectare last year. Sunflower area stands at 0.07 lakh hectare, slightly higher than 0.06 lakh hectare last year. Sesamum coverage remains stable at 0.12 lakh hectare. Other oilseeds account for 0.01 lakh hectare.
The normal summer oilseeds area is 8.40 lakh hectare, while final coverage in 2025 reached 9.51 lakh hectare.
Overall Position
With total summer sown area reaching 21.30 lakh hectare as against 20.38 lakh hectare during the corresponding period last year, the season has begun with a measurable expansion in pulses, coarse cereals and oilseeds, while rice area remains stable. As sowing activities continue in irrigated belts, the coming weeks will determine whether the upward trend sustains and moves closer to the normal and last year’s final coverage levels.
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