NEWS – The Agriculture Ministry announced a significant increase in crop sowing during the ongoing kharif season.

HIGHLIGHTS

Increase in Paddy and Pulses Sowing

• Paddy:
  • As of May 2, 2025, paddy sowing increased by 3.44 lakh hectares compared to the previous year.
  • Paddy acreage rose from 28.57 lakh hectares in 2023-24 to 32.02 lakh hectares in 2024-25.
• Pulses:
  • Sowing area increased by 2.20 lakh hectares from the previous year.
  • Pulses acreage rose from 18.47 lakh hectares in 2023-24 to 20.67 lakh hectares in 2024-25.
  • Moong sowing expanded by 1.70 lakh hectares and urad by 0.50 lakh hectares.

Surge in Horticulture Crop Cultivation

• Onion:
  • Area under onion cultivation increased by 2.82 lakh hectares.
  • Grew from 9.76 lakh hectares in 2023-24 to 12.58 lakh hectares in 2024-25.
• Potato:
  • Increased by 0.47 lakh hectares over last year.
• Tomato and Onion:
  • Sowing is proceeding smoothly this season.

Water Reservoir and Climate Update

• Water Availability:
  • Reservoirs show a better storage situation than the previous year.
  • Current storage in 161 reservoirs is 117% of the same period last year and 114% of the 10-year average.
• Weather:
  • No reported negative impact from heatwaves or high temperatures on the wheat crop.

Foodgrain Stock Status

• Rice:
  • Actual stock: 389.05 lakh tonnes.
  • Required buffer stock: 135.8 lakh tonnes.
• Wheat:
  • Actual stock: 177.08 lakh tonnes.
  • Required buffer stock: 74.6 lakh tonnes.
• Wheat harvest has been completed in almost all major producing states without climate-related disruptions.

Future Steps

• A national campaign will be launched to promote scientific agricultural practices across the country.

This increase in sowing areas and healthy reservoir levels suggest a positive outlook for agricultural