New Delhi, Jan. 12 -- India's rabi or winter crop sowing in 2025-26 has increased by more than 1.76 million hectares to 64.42 million hectares as on 9 January, according to data released by the ministry of agriculture and farmers' welfare today. The sown area is 2.8% higher than a year earlier. The season's average coverage is 63.78 million hectares.

Even though the sowing window remains open until mid-January, the higher acreage reflects the availability of adequate soil moisture, supported by an above-normal monsoon this season, according to agricultural officials.

The expansion in sown area was largely supported by higher acreage under wheat, rice, pulses and oilseeds. Wheat coverage rose by 613,000 hectares, while the area under ric...