India’s Summer Sowing Inches Up, Led by Pulses and Millets

 

India’s summer crop sowing has seen a modest increase this year, indicating a gradual shift in farming trends influenced by market demand and changing climatic conditions.

By early April 2026, the total area under summer crops rose slightly compared to the same period last year. Although the overall growth is not significant, it reflects steady progress in the agricultural sector.

Pulses have emerged as the main driver of this increase. Farmers are allocating more land to crops like greengram and blackgram, supported by strong demand for protein-rich foods and efforts to reduce reliance on imports.

Millets and other coarse cereals have also recorded healthy growth. Crops such as bajra and maize are gaining popularity due to their resilience, lower water requirements, and government push to promote nutritious grains.

Oilseeds, particularly groundnut, have shown moderate expansion as well, benefiting from favourable prices and stable returns for farmers.

On the other hand, the area under rice cultivation has declined compared to last year. This shift suggests that farmers are moving away from water-intensive crops, influenced by factors like water availability, input costs, and changing price trends.

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