Paddy Acreage Surges Six Percent in 2024-25 Kharif Season

The agriculture ministry reported a six percent increase in paddy acreage to 369.05 lakh hectare for the 2024-25 kharif season. Pulses and coarse cereals also saw a rise in acreage, while cotton declined. The overall area sown to all kharif crops increased by over 2 percent to 1,031.56 lakh hectare.

The agriculture ministry announced on Tuesday that paddy acreage has surged by six percent to 369.05 lakh hectare in the ongoing 2024-25 kharif season.

Compared to the previous year's 349.49 lakh hectare, this year's sowing benefitted from a favourable southwest monsoon that began in June. Harvesting is expected by September.

Pulses and coarse cereals also saw considerable increases in their respective areas. Notably, 'arhar' acreage rose to 45.78 lakh hectare from last year's 40.74 lakh hectare. However, cotton acreage saw a reduction to 111.07 lakh hectare from 122.15 lakh hectare. Overall, the total area sown to all kharif crops increased by a little over 2 percent, reaching 1,031.56 lakh hectare compared to last year.