Kharif acreage falls 16%, but ethanol effect boosts sugarcane

NEW DELHI: Overall acreage of kharif (summer-sown) crops in the country fell 16% as of last Friday, with most crops reporting a decrease in sown area compared to the same period in 2025. But farmers' love for water-guzzling cash crop sugarcane, in demand for ethanol, is intact despite pressure on water resources due to weak monsoon.Updated data, released by agriculture ministry Monday, showed acreage of sugarcane at 57.5 lakh hectares (LHa) as of July 10 was higher not only than acreage (56.7 LHa) of last year, but also normal acreage (average of last five years) of 54.2 LHa.Kharif sown area: Pulses, cereals, oilseeds show highest declineSome other cash crops, including jute and mesta, too reported higher acreage so far this year than the corresponding period in 2025. Around 50% of kharif sowing is completed by mid-July. Sugarcane, of late, has been at the centre of a debate due to controversy around use of ethanol-petrol mix (E20) in vehicles.Farmers’ choice of the crop, however, shows why they may like govt’s ethanol push to continue, giving credence to the argument that the move is not only reducing India’s import bills but also helping farmers.The acreage figures showed the highest decline of more than 23% in sown area of pulses, followed by coarse cereals (22%), oilseeds (21%), cotton (15%), and paddy (9%).Decline in sown area of coarse cereals (millets and maize), which consume significantly less water than paddy and sugarcane, shows farmers’ insistence on those crops that can easily find them markets and fetch them better price. They are not inclined to diversification even as the coarse cereals are pushed as a better choice during the year of ‘below normal’ or ‘deficient’ rainfall.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.