India’s oilseed crops declined in Rabi season

The sown area during the winter season (rabi) in India exceeded 66.1 mln hectares as of February 4, 2025, with a significant increase in wheat and rice, and a decrease in oilseeds, Krishijagran reported.

The main winter crop in India is wheat, which occupied 32.49 mln hectares, up from 31.83 mln hectares last year. The growth of wheat area is explained by favorable weather conditions and government support for farmers.

The area under rice expanded to 4.254 million hectares from 4.059 million hectares in the previous season. The area under pulses also increased to 14.09 million hectares from 13.78 million hectares last year. Millet and coarse grains covered 5.525 million hectares.

Oilseeds slightly decreased to 9.747 million hectares. A year ago, oilseeds covered 9.923 mln ha. The decline is attributed to weather conditions and market dynamics that influenced farmers’ decisions. In February, the temperature in India was higher than normal, and the area under rapeseed, the country’s main oilseed, decreased compared to last year, as the above-average temperature during the sowing season encourages farmers to switch to crops that are less affected by heat.

Rabi crops play a crucial role in India’s food supply. The increase in acreage will help stabilize prices. Earlier, the country’s authorities extended the ban on trading in agricultural derivatives. The ban continues to apply to derivatives on rice, wheat, chickpeas, mustard seeds, soybeans, crude palm oil and mung beans.

Tags: mustard, soybean, oilseeds, wheat, India, chickpea