Chickpea revival and oilseed expansion offset muted cereal growth in 2025–26 rabi sowing

India’s rabi sowing in the 2025–26 season has gathered visible momentum, with total crop coverage reaching 580.70 lakh hectares as of 19 December 2025, an increase of 8.12 lakh hectares over the corresponding period last year, according to data released by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare. The expansion underscores steady farmer confidence amid a relatively stable sowing window, even as crop-wise trends point to a selective rebalancing across cereals, pulses and oilseeds.

Pulses emerged as a standout, with acreage rising by 3.72 lakh hectares, driven overwhelmingly by a sharp rebound in gram (chickpea) cultivation, which expanded by 4.89 lakh hectares year-on-year. While lentil and several minor pulses saw marginal contractions, the overall pulse footprint reflects policy push and price signals favouring protein crops amid domestic demand-supply considerations.

Oilseeds acreage also strengthened, inching up by 0.67 lakh hectares to 93.33 lakh hectares, with rapeseed and mustard leading the charge. Coverage under the crop rose by 1.23 lakh hectares, reinforcing its position as the backbone of India’s rabi oilseed basket. Groundnut and linseed, however, registered modest declines, indicating crop switching within oilseed portfolios.

Among cereals, wheat sowing remained broadly stable, edging higher by 1.29 lakh hectares over last year’s corresponding period, even as total sown area of Shri Anna and coarse cereals rose marginally by 0.61 lakh hectares. Gains in maize and barley offset declines in jowar, reflecting regional adjustments and feed demand dynamics.

Overall, the rabi sowing data points to a measured expansion rather than a broad-based surge, with farmers selectively favouring pulses and mustard over water- and input-intensive alternatives. As the season progresses, the acreage mix will be closely watched for its implications on food inflation, edible oil imports, and procurement dynamics in 2026.