India’s wheat harvest reaches 38% amid favourable conditions

The country has harvested 38% of the total wheat area of an estimated 32 million hectare so far in the ongoing 2025-26 marketing season, according to Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. Official data reveals that, as of April 4, farmers have completed harvesting in 91% of the rabi pulse area, 87% of the oilseeds area, 70% of the Shree Anna and coarse cereals area, and 33% of the rice area.

Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced on Sunday (April 13) that 38% of the estimated 32 million hectares of wheat area has been harvested so far in the ongoing 2025-26 marketing season. 

Given the potential for a good yield of various rabi crops, Chouhan has instructed officials to enhance procurement arrangements for farmers. Wheat harvesting conditions are favorable in key producing states, including Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Bihar, as per the Minister’s statement.

The government has set a wheat procurement target of 31 million tonnes for the 2025-26 marketing season (April-March).

According to official data, as of April 4, farmers have completed harvesting in 91% of the total rabi pulse area, 87% of the oilseeds area, 70% of the Shree Anna and coarse cereals area, and 33% of the rice area.

In addition to reviewing the progress of rabi crops like wheat, the minister also assessed the sowing progress of zaid crops, which are grown between the rabi and kharif seasons. According to the data, the total area under zaid crops has reached 60.22 lakh hectares this year, up from 52.40 lakh hectares last year. Of this area, rice has been sown in 32 lakh hectares, pulses in 11 lakh hectares, and oilseeds in 7.35 lakh hectares during the same period, the statement noted.