The bajra area in Rajasthan was 43.15 lakh hectare (lh) as of September 9, down from 43.25 lh a year-ago | Photo Credit: KRISHNAN VV
According to State Agriculture Minister Kirodi Lal Meena, approximately 75% of the bajra crop in Rajasthan, India’s leading producer of this nutri-cereal, may have suffered damage due to heavy rainfall. A comprehensive assessment will follow the ongoing survey, which is expected to conclude by September 20. Meena also mentioned that soyabean, guar, and maize have also been adversely affected.
In contrast, a senior official from the Union Agriculture Ministry indicated that the overall production of food grains—rice, pulses, and coarse cereals—for the current kharif season is expected to match or slightly exceed that of the 2024 season. While losses have been reported in some states, yields are expected to be higher in other areas, especially where conditions are favorable and rainfall has been well-distributed.
Meena stated that farmers were initially instructed to report crop damage on a dedicated portal, but a physical verification process has since been initiated, extended by two weeks from the previous deadline of September 7. Once the survey is finalized, the state government will decide on further assistance and compensation, including claims under crop insurance.
Measures Against Fake Seeds
Farmers whose initial crops failed to germinate, as well as those whose crops were damaged post-germination, will receive 25% of their crop insurance premiums paid by insurance companies pending the finalization of claims.
The minister also revealed that following revelations regarding fake fertilizers and pesticides, attention will now turn to tackling counterfeit seeds. He indicated that investigations into such seeds are underway, highlighting how companies purchase crops from markets and repackage them as seeds.
As of September 9, the bajra area in Rajasthan is recorded at 43.15 lakh hectares (lh), down from 43.25 lh last year; guar acreage was 24.51 lh, compared to 27.21 lh; maize stood at 9.85 lh versus 9.70 lh; and soyabean was at 9.83 lh, down from 10.79 lh.
A Union Agriculture Ministry official confirmed that the government is currently evaluating damage from floods and heavy rains, while awaiting reports from various states. Satellite imagery is being utilized for damage assessment, particularly effective for paddy crops.
Last year, food grain production in the country totaled 168.07 million tonnes (mt), including 121.85 mt of rice, 7.5 mt of pulses, and 38.72 mt of nutri/coarse cereals during the kharif season. In the target for the 2025 kharif season stands at 168.88 mt, comprising 120.75 mt of rice, 7.74 mt of pulses, and 40.39 mt of nutri/coarse cereals.
The total kharif acreage for 2025 has reached 1110.80 lh as of September 12, reflecting an increase of 1.36% from 1095.88 lh. An increase of over 5% was noted until the first week of August, but this advantage over the previous year has been narrowing weekly. Notably, maize area has seen a substantial increase of 13%, while the paddy area, previously exceeding 11-12% higher six weeks ago, has diminished to a lead of less than 2%.
Published on September 15, 2025
