The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare has released the latest progress of area coverage under rabi crops as on 30 January 2026, indicating a robust and steady advance of the rabi season across the country. Overall rabi crop coverage has reached 676.84 lakh hectares, marking an increase of 15.88 lakh hectares compared to the corresponding period of the previous year.
The data reflects strong farmer participation and favourable sowing conditions, particularly in wheat, pulses, oilseeds and coarse cereals. Pulses have recorded a significant expansion, with total area rising by 5.03 lakh hectares, led overwhelmingly by gram, which alone accounts for an increase of 4.98 lakh hectares. Wheat, the principal rabi crop, has also registered a substantial increase of 6.13 lakh hectares, reinforcing its central role in national food security.
Oilseeds sowing has gained notable traction, expanding by 3.52 lakh hectares over last year, with rapeseed and mustard contributing the bulk of the increase. Coarse cereals and Shri Anna crops have also shown steady progress, supported by higher maize and barley coverage, even as minor variations are observed in some traditional millets.
The Ministry noted that the sustained rise in rabi area coverage reflects improved planning, timely availability of inputs and continued policy focus on crop diversification and nutritional security.
Progress of Area Coverage under Rabi Crops as on 30 January 2026
(Area in lakh hectares)
S No Crop Normal Rabi Area Final Rabi Area 2024-25 Progressive Area Sown 2025-26 Area Sown Same Period 2024-25 Increase or Decrease
1 Wheat 312.35 328.04 334.17 328.04 +6.13
2 Rice 42.93 44.73 45.00 44.73 +0.27
3 Pulses Total 140.42 134.08 139.55 134.52 +5.03
a Gram 100.99 91.22 96.20 91.22 +4.98
b Lentil 15.13 16.99 18.12 17.66 +0.45
c Fieldpea 6.50 – 7.92 8.27 -0.35
d Kulthi 1.98 – 1.98 2.41 -0.43
e Urdbean 6.16 6.18 6.06 5.67 +0.39
f Moongbean 1.41 1.36 0.99 1.00 0.00
g Lathyrus 2.79 – 2.98 2.92 +0.06
h Other Pulses 5.46 18.33 5.30 5.37 -0.07
4 Shri Anna and Coarse Cereals 55.33 59.05 60.93 59.99 +0.93
a Jowar 24.62 25.17 23.13 25.17 -2.04
b Bajra 0.59 – 0.16 0.14 +0.02
c Ragi 0.72 – 0.97 0.70 +0.27
d Small Millets 0.16 – 0.13 0.10 +0.03
e Maize 23.61 27.80 29.16 27.80 +1.36
f Barley 5.63 6.08 7.38 6.08 +1.30
5 Oilseeds Total 86.78 93.49 97.19 93.67 +3.52
a Rapeseed and Mustard 79.17 86.57 89.36 86.57 +2.79
b Groundnut 3.69 3.37 3.52 3.37 +0.15
c Safflower 0.72 0.64 0.89 0.64 +0.25
d Sunflower 0.79 0.81 0.70 0.56 +0.14
e Sesamum 0.48 0.41 0.33 0.41 -0.08
f Linseed 1.93 1.69 1.99 1.76 +0.23
g Other Oilseeds 0.00 – 0.40 0.35 +0.05
Total All Crops 637.81 659.39 676.84 660.96 +15.88
With sowing nearing completion in most regions, the overall trend points to a healthy rabi season, supporting production prospects and reinforcing confidence in the agricultural outlook for 2026.
