India’s rabi sowing season has started on a weak note, with the total area planted under winter crops declining 17.2% year-on-year as of November 6, 2026. The latest government data shows that farmers had covered 108.66 lakh hectares, compared with 131.26 lakh hectares during the corresponding period last year. Oilseeds, pulses and wheat recorded significant declines, raising concerns about the pace of agricultural activity ahead of the winter harvest season.
The slowdown comes amid deficient post-monsoon rainfall, which has reduced soil moisture in several major agricultural states. Mustard sowing recorded one of the steepest declines, while gram acreage also fell sharply. The developments are important for India’s food supply outlook because rabi crops contribute significantly to domestic wheat, pulses and edible oil production. However, the current acreage figures represent sowing progress at an early stage and do not establish the final production outcome.
India’s Rabi Sowing Declines 17.2% by November 6
According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare’s weekly report, total rabi crop coverage stood at 108.66 lakh hectares as of November 6, down from 131.26 lakh hectares a year earlier.
The difference represents a shortfall of approximately 22.59 lakh hectares.
The decline was visible across several major crop categories, with oilseeds recording the steepest contraction, followed by pulses and wheat.
| Crop category | Area sown in 2026 | Area sown in 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total rabi crops | 108.66 lakh ha | 131.26 lakh ha | -17.2% |
| Oilseeds | 42.08 lakh ha | 55.09 lakh ha | -23.6% |
| Pulses | 31.93 lakh ha | 37.30 lakh ha | -14.4% |
| Wheat | 19.77 lakh ha | 22.47 lakh ha | -12.0% |
| Coarse cereals | 8.15 lakh ha | 9.88 lakh ha | -17.5% |
The figures indicate that farmers have planted fewer hectares than last year across several important winter crops.
However, rabi sowing is still progressing in November. Subsequent rainfall, irrigation availability and planting decisions will determine whether the current gap narrows during the remaining sowing period.
Mustard Sowing Falls 25.4%, Accounting for Major Share of Shortfall
Oilseeds recorded the largest decline among the major rabi crop categories.
Total oilseed acreage fell 23.6% to 42.08 lakh hectares from 55.09 lakh hectares in the corresponding period last year.
Rapeseed and mustard, the most important crop within the rabi oilseed category, recorded a 25.4% decline. The area under these crops stood at 40.31 lakh hectares, compared with 54.02 lakh hectares a year earlier.
The decline is particularly significant because mustard is an important source of edible oil in India.
According to the reported data, the reduction of 13.71 lakh hectares in rapeseed and mustard acreage accounted for approximately 61% of the overall shortfall in rabi sowing.
Other oilseed crops also experienced mixed trends. Sunflower acreage declined, while groundnut and linseed recorded increases.
| Oilseed crop | Area sown in 2026 | Year-on-year change |
|---|---|---|
| Rapeseed and mustard | 40.31 lakh ha | -25.4% |
| Groundnut | 0.47 lakh ha | +54.4% |
| Linseed | 0.96 lakh ha | +109.0% |
| Total oilseeds | 42.08 lakh ha | -23.6% |
The increase in groundnut and linseed acreage offers some support, but their relatively smaller planted areas have not offset the decline in mustard.
If the acreage gap persists, it could become an important factor in assessing domestic edible oil availability later in the agricultural season.
Pulses Acreage Declines 14.4% as Gram Sowing Weakens
India’s pulses sector also recorded a significant slowdown.
Total pulses coverage declined 14.4% to 31.93 lakh hectares from 37.30 lakh hectares during the same period last year.
Gram, also known as chickpea, accounted for much of the decline. Its planted area fell 21.6% to 21.36 lakh hectares from 27.25 lakh hectares.
Gram is one of India’s most important rabi pulses and contributes significantly to domestic protein consumption.
Lower sowing could become a concern for future supplies if the acreage deficit is not recovered and crop yields are also affected.
However, not all pulses recorded a decline.
Lentil acreage increased 3.6% to 4.54 lakh hectares, while urad and moong also recorded higher coverage than last year.
This suggests that the slowdown is concentrated in particular crops rather than affecting every pulse variety equally.
Wheat Sowing Falls 12% Ahead of Key Winter Season
Wheat acreage declined 12% to 19.77 lakh hectares as of November 6, compared with 22.47 lakh hectares during the corresponding period last year.
Wheat is India’s most important rabi foodgrain crop and plays a central role in national food security.
The crop is generally sown between October and December and harvested during March and April. Its productivity depends on timely planting, suitable temperatures, irrigation availability and weather conditions during the growing period.
A slower start does not automatically mean lower wheat production. Farmers still have time to expand the planted area during the remaining sowing window.
However, prolonged delays can create risks, particularly if late planting exposes crops to higher temperatures during the grain-filling stage.
The government and agricultural agencies will therefore monitor wheat acreage closely in the coming weeks.
Weak Post-Monsoon Rainfall Slows Agricultural Activity
Deficient rainfall is emerging as one of the major factors behind the slower pace of rabi sowing.
India received 60.3 mm of rainfall between October 1 and November 10, against the normal level of 88.4 mm, representing a deficit of approximately 32%, according to the India Meteorological Department.
The rainfall shortage has been particularly severe in several important agricultural states.
| State or region | Post-monsoon rainfall deficit |
|---|---|
| Madhya Pradesh | 78% |
| Rajasthan | 47% |
| Maharashtra | 93% |
| Central India | 47% |
Northwest India, by comparison, recorded rainfall approximately 3% above normal.
The uneven distribution of rainfall matters because rabi crops depend on residual soil moisture from the monsoon as well as irrigation.
When the soil remains dry after the rainy season, farmers may delay planting until they receive sufficient moisture or can arrange irrigation.
This is particularly relevant for mustard, gram and wheat, where timely sowing can influence crop establishment and eventual productivity.
Why the Rabi Season Matters for India’s Food Supply
The rabi season is one of India’s two major agricultural growing seasons, alongside the kharif season.
Rabi crops are generally planted after the monsoon and harvested during spring. Major crops include wheat, mustard, gram, lentils, peas and several winter cereals.
These crops are important for different parts of India’s food economy:
- Wheat: A major staple food and an important component of government foodgrain stocks.
- Mustard: A significant source of domestically produced edible oil.
- Gram and lentils: Important sources of protein and ingredients in everyday Indian diets.
- Coarse cereals: Used for food, animal feed and other agricultural purposes.
A sustained decline in acreage could affect the supply outlook for these commodities. It could also influence food inflation if lower production coincides with strong consumption demand or disruptions to imports.
However, production depends on both planted area and crop yield. Weather conditions during the growing season, irrigation, seed quality and agricultural inputs will all influence the final harvest.
Government Monitors Sowing Progress and Input Availability
The Centre has been monitoring the progress of rabi planting and the availability of agricultural inputs.
The Agriculture Ministry has said that supplies of fertilisers such as urea, DAP, MOP and NPK are adequate, alongside certified seeds for the season.
Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has also urged officials and state governments to accelerate sowing after kharif harvesting and make effective use of residual soil moisture.
In water-stressed areas, farmers have been encouraged to consider less water-intensive crops, including gram, mustard, lentils and millets.
The government has also emphasised the availability of climate-resilient and heat-tolerant seed varieties to help farmers manage changing weather conditions.
These measures are intended to support planting activity and reduce the risk of weather-related disruption.
The Bigger Picture
The 17.2% decline in rabi sowing highlights the vulnerability of India’s agricultural production to uneven rainfall and changing soil-moisture conditions. The sharp reduction in mustard and gram acreage is particularly important because these crops contribute to domestic edible oil and pulses supplies. If the shortfall continues, it could increase pressure on food availability and India’s dependence on imports in some agricultural categories.
However, the November figures should not be treated as a final forecast for the 2026–27 harvest. Sowing is still underway, and the eventual outcome will depend on rainfall, irrigation, planting decisions and crop yields. The coming weeks will be important in determining whether farmers can narrow the acreage gap before the main sowing window closes.
Looking Ahead
The next government acreage reports will provide a clearer picture of whether rabi sowing is recovering. Wheat, mustard and gram will remain the most important crops to monitor because of their contribution to food security, edible oil availability and agricultural incomes. Improved soil moisture and irrigation access could help farmers accelerate planting, although regional rainfall differences may continue to influence crop choices.
For policymakers, the priority will be to support farmers through timely access to seeds, fertilisers, irrigation and climate-resilient agricultural practices. For consumers and commodity markets, the key question will be whether the current acreage shortfall translates into lower production or is offset by improved yields. The final impact on food prices and imports will become clearer as the season progresses.
SEO Metadata
SEO Title: Rabi Sowing Falls 17% as Mustard and Pulses Acreage Declines in India
Meta Description: India’s rabi sowing fell 17.2% by November 6, 2026, as mustard acreage dropped 25.4%, pulses 14.4% and wheat 12% amid deficient rainfall.
URL Slug: india-rabi-sowing-falls-17-percent-mustard-pulses-acreage
Focus Keyphrase: India rabi sowing 2026
Secondary Keywords: mustard sowing India, pulses acreage decline, wheat sowing 2026, rabi crop sowing data, India rainfall deficit, edible oil production, Agriculture Ministry data
Get the day’s top stories in your inbox
One concise email. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
