Kharif sowing area is 17.69 lakh hectares below last year
The 4 September report shows lower rice, coarse-cereal, oilseed, sugarcane and cotton area, while pulses remain above last year.
India's reported kharif sowing area reached 1,086.31 lakh hectares by 4 September 2026, compared with 1,104.00 lakh hectares a year earlier.
Rice area was 16.37 lakh hectares lower, while pulses were 1.84 lakh hectares higher. Coarse cereals declined by 1.09 lakh hectares, oilseeds by 1.07 lakh, sugarcane by 0.40 lakh and cotton by 0.69 lakh. Jute and mesta were 0.10 lakh hectares above last year.
Why it matters
Changes in sown area can affect crop-output expectations, rural income, procurement planning, food availability and inflation risk.
SCULTRA point of view
Acreage should be read with rainfall, reservoir levels, crop condition, regional distribution and yield estimates. Final production, rather than planted area alone, determines the supply outcome.
Limitations
The figures are provisional area reports, not harvest or yield data. Later revisions and crop conditions can materially change the production picture.
Source: Press Information Bureau / Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, 8 September 2026; data as of 4 September 2026.