India’s rabi crop sowing has declined sharply this season, with the total area under cultivation falling 46% compared with the same period last year. 

Lower rainfall and unfavourable weather conditions have delayed planting, particularly for oilseeds and pulses. According to data reported by Moneycontrol on 04 November 2026, farmers had sown rabi crops across 63.6 lakh hectares, compared with 117.8 lakh hectares during the same period last year.

The decline in sowing has been particularly significant for oilseeds and pulses. Oilseed acreage stood at 5.8 lakh hectares, down 73% from 21.4 lakh hectares a year earlier. Pulses were planted across 23.6 lakh hectares, compared with 41.4 lakh hectares during the same period last year, marking a decline of around 43%.

Wheat sowing also remained lower at 2.5 lakh hectares, compared with 5.4 lakh hectares last year. However, wheat planting generally gathers pace later in the rabi season.

A shortage of rainfall has affected soil moisture and delayed the preparation of fields for winter crops. The situation has been more difficult in some regions where farmers depend on rainfall rather than irrigation.

However, the current sowing data represents an early stage of the rabi season, and the gap could narrow if weather conditions improve in the coming weeks.

The progress of rabi sowing will be important for India’s agricultural production and food prices. A continued delay in planting could affect crop output, particularly for pulses and oilseeds.

The government and market participants will closely monitor rainfall, soil moisture and sowing activity during the coming weeks. Better weather conditions and improved irrigation availability could help farmers increase planting and reduce the gap with last year’s acreage.

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