India 2026/27 Rabi Sowing Begins

The 2026–27 rabi (winter) sowing season has officially begun in India, but farmers are taking a noticeably more cautious approach than the brisk start seen at this time last year.

 

While field activity is underway, the total area planted so far represents only a tiny fraction of the expected seasonal total and is lagging significantly behind last year's pace. Here is how the early planting trends are shaping up across key crop categories:

 

Oilseeds take the early lead: Farmers are currently prioritizing oilseeds above all other crops. While they make up the vast majority of the fields planted so far, progress remains noticeably slower than last season's early benchmark.

 

A modest start for Pulses: Pulse cultivation is steadily getting underway, driven primarily by the planting of gram (chickpeas). Other legumes, such as lentils and peas, are seeing much smaller, localized early plantings.

 

Major foodgrains are waiting in the wings: The sowing of India’s crucial winter staples has barely registered yet. Wheat, winter rice, and coarse cereals remain in their absolute infancy. This delayed start for major grains is largely expected, as farmers typically hold off on mass planting until later in the season when cooler temperatures create the optimal environment for seed germination.

 

Overall, while the initial numbers reflect a sluggish start, it is still the very beginning of a long planting window.