Kharif 2025: Maize, Cotton Gain in Karnataka; Pulses Lag
By yash chouhan 2025-07-07 16:46:22
Kharif 2025 update: Maize, cotton continues to gain area in Karnataka, pulses trails.
Acreages under pulses are trailing in Karnataka, where farmers are seen expanding the area under maize and cotton this kharif cropping season.
As per the latest crop sowing data, a total of 50.57 lakh hectares (lh) has been covered under various kharif crops till July 5, accounting for some 61 per cent of the targeted area of 82.50 lh for the kharif 2025 cropping season. Rainfall during the period of June 1- July 5 was surplus 4 per cent at 252 mm against the normal of 241 mm across the State.
Among cereals, maize has been the biggest gainer with acreages touching 13.98 lh, up 14.6 per cent over same period last year’s 12.20 lh. The maize acreages are 68 per cent higher than the normal for the period of 8.32 lh. Other cereals such as paddy, jowar, bajra, ragi and minor millets are trailing their corresponding last year’s levels.
Overall pulses area is down 13 per cent over corresponding last year till July 5. Acreages under Tur are down by 21 per cent at 9.88 lh till July 5 over same period last year’s 12.50 lh. However, tur acreages are up 47 per cent over the normal for the period of 6.71 lh.
Prevailing bearish trend prices of pulses, due to higher supplies are weighing on the sowing pattern this kharif season as farmers are seen preferring other remunerative crops like maize and cotton.
Blackgram area is flat at 0.87 lh, while green gram area has seen a marginal increase at 4.04 lh (3.93 lh in corresponding period last year).
Like pulses, even oilseeds acreages are trailing last year’s levels at 5.61 lh (6.18 lh). Groundnut area is down at 1.06 lh (1.46 lh), while soyabean is also marginally lower at 3.94 lh (4.18 lh).
However, cotton area is up at 6.11 lh (5.47 lh) and sugarcane at 6.13 lh (5.42 lh). Tobacco area is also seen marginally higher at 0.77 lh (0.74 lh).
