India’s wheat sown area reaches record high

In the current rabi season, India’s wheat sown area has risen to a record level, surpassing last year’s 32.8 million hectares. Farmers are favoring this key winter crop amid lower prices for most other crops. With favorable weather over the next two to three months, India is well-positioned to harvest another record crop, potentially paving the way for lifting the four-year export ban.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, as of January 2, wheat sowing had reached 33.42 million hectares, up 2% from last year (32.8 million hectares). Since some areas are still being sown and reports continue to come in, total sown area by the end of the season may reach 33.5–33.6 million hectares, officials said.

The expansion of wheat area comes amid a 2.6% increase in total rabi crop coverage, reaching 63.4 million hectares. Alongside wheat, areas under chana (chickpea), mustard, and rice have also grown significantly, reflecting a strong winter cropping season.

Analysts note that the record wheat area underscores farmers’ focus on the most profitable crops, and favorable weather coupled with government support could secure another strong harvest for India in the MY 2025/26.

Tags: wheat, India, sown area