The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare has reported a strong start to the 2025–26 Rabi season. As of October 31, 2025, a total of 75.77 lakh hectares have been sown under Rabi crops 9.89 lakh hectares more than the same period last year. Pulses: Strong Growth Driven by Gram Sowing of pulses has picked up significantly, covering 20.77 lakh hectares, an increase of 4.28 lakh hectares over last year. • Gram (Chana) continues to lead the segment with 14.92 lakh hectares, up 2.77 lakh hectares from 2024–25. • Other pulses such as lentil, field pea, and kulthi have also shown notable expansion in area coverage. Oilseeds: Rapeseed & Mustard Dominate The oilseeds segment has recorded robust progress with 42.33 lakh hectares sown—4.91 lakh hectares higher than last year. • Rapeseed and mustard account for nearly the entire coverage, with 41.69 lakh hectares, contributing about 97% of total oilseed sowing so far. Cereals: Wheat Gains, Rice Marginally Down • Wheat, the key Rabi cereal, has been planted over 3.34 lakh hectares, up 1.05 lakh hectares from last year’s 2.28 lakh hectares. • Rice, however, has seen a slight decline, covering 3.71 lakh hectares, 0.79 lakh hectares less than in 2024–25.