All-India: Progressive Crop Area Sown Report
Why in News?
All-India Progressive Crop Area Sown Report is in the news because the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare has released the latest Kharif 2026 data, showing that India’s total area sown has crossed 1,087 lakh hectares.
About “Progressive Crop Area Sown Report”
- It is a weekly statistical bulletin on area coverage under Kharif crops across India.
- Issued by the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (DA&FW), Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, based on state-wise reporting.
- “Progressive” means it shows cumulative area sown up to a particular week during the Kharif season, updated every week until sowing is largely complete.
- It typically compares three numbers for each crop:
- Normal area (average of past 5 years, used as benchmark).
- Area sown in current year (2026–27).
- Area sown in the same week last year (2025–26).
Crop-wise Area Coverage Performance
- Paddy (Rice): Reached 408 lakh hectares, an increase from 393.57 lakh hectares in the corresponding period last year.
- Pulses: Cultivation climbed to 116 lakh hectares, showing a stable recovery trajectory.
- Coarse Cereals: Encompasses 187 lakh hectares, covering crops like maize, bajra, and jowar.
- Oilseeds: Sowing achieved 190 lakh hectares across major production belts like groundnut and soybean.
- Sugarcane: Planted area remains firm and stable at over 57 lakh hectares.
Structural Trends & Sectoral Context
- Budget Support: The government expanded the agricultural budget allocation to ₹1.30 lakh crore for 2026-27.
- Direct Income Support: Under PM-KISAN, ₹4.27 lakh crore has been disbursed in 22 instalments to safeguard farmer livelihoods.
- Risk Protection: Crop insurance claims have exceeded ₹1.90 lakh crore, protecting farmers from erratic climate shocks.
- Buffer Norms: Central grain stock volumes for rice and wheat remain comfortably above mandated security thresholds.
