Kharif acreage falls 16%, but ethanol effect boosts sugarcane

Overall kharif crop acreage fell 16% as of July 10 compared to the same period in 2025.

Sugarcane acreage rose to 57.5 lakh hectares, higher than both last year's 56.7 LHa and the normal average of 54.2 LHa.

Pulses saw the highest decline in sown area at over 23%, followed by coarse cereals (22%), oilseeds (21%), cotton (15%), and paddy (9%).

Farmers continue to favor cash crops like sugarcane due to demand for ethanol, supporting government ethanol initiatives and reducing import bills.