Uttar Pradesh Sees 1.6 Million Hectare Surge In Kharif Crop Area; Oilseeds, Pulses And Cotton Lead Growth

Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh has recorded a sharp surge in the cultivation of key Kharif crops, particularly oilseeds and pulses, marking a season of broad agricultural expansion across the state. According to the latest figures from the Agriculture Department, significant increases have been noted in sesame, groundnut, soybean, pigeon pea, paddy, and maize cultivation.

The total area under oilseed cultivation has increased by nearly 1.25 times—from 432.25 thousand hectares in 2024 to 547.14 thousand hectares in 2025. Sesame has seen the most dramatic rise, with acreage jumping from 180.26 thousand hectares to 303 thousand hectares. Groundnut and soybean have also expanded steadily, reaching 218 thousand and 40 thousand hectares respectively.

In pulses, pigeon pea (arhar) has witnessed major growth, with the cultivated area rising from 184 thousand hectares last year to 273 thousand hectares this season. Moong cultivation has also increased marginally from 30,000 to 32,000 hectares. Agriculture officials expect further growth, as sowing in some regions will continue into early September.

Staple Kharif grains have shown parallel gains. Paddy cultivation has risen significantly, with area expanding from 4,193 thousand hectares in 2024 to 5,546 thousand hectares this year. Maize acreage also grew—from 636 thousand to 701 thousand hectares.

An unexpected but notable development is the resurgence of cotton cultivation in the state. The area under cotton, once in steady decline, has grown from just 7,000 hectares to 18,000 hectares this year reflecting renewed farmer interest and potential shifts in crop economics.

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Altogether, the total area sown under Kharif crops in Uttar Pradesh has increased by over 1.6 million hectares in just one year from 6,574 thousand hectares in 2024 to 8,262 thousand hectares in 2025.

The gains suggest a changing cropping pattern in the state, with diversification beyond cereals gaining momentum.