India's Kharif Pulses Acreage Nearly Matches Last Year Despite Deficit Rains in Key States
As of August 14, total pulses sowing at 108.14 lakh hectare is just 0.3% below last year, with strong gains in UP, Telangana and Gujarat compensating for shortfalls in Karnataka, Maharashtra and MP.
The short answer
India's kharif pulses acreage as of August 14, 2026 stood at 108.14 lakh hectare, marginally short of the 108.49 lakh hectare recorded in the same period last year. While tur and moong each face a 4% area shortfall — largely due to poor rains in Karnataka and Maharashtra — urad has already surpassed last year's coverage, and government stocks of 1.2 million tonnes provide an additional supply buffer. Industry stakeholders say the situation is not a cause for concern, provided September rains arrive as forecast.
The headline number
Overall Pulses Sowing Holds Steady Across India
India's kharif pulses planting campaign has nearly closed the gap with the previous year's pace. Data as of August 14, 2026 shows total pulses coverage at 108.14 lakh hectare (lh), barely below the 108.49 lh recorded in the corresponding period of 2025 — a difference of just 0.3%.
The recovery has been driven by a broad revival in monsoon rainfall across several states during the mid-season, which helped farmers plant late but still within viable windows. The result is a nationwide picture that is far less alarming than early-season forecasts had suggested, providing some relief to traders and consumers who had been bracing for a tighter pulse supply cycle this kharif.
The pressure points
Karnataka, Maharashtra and MP Pull Tur and Moong Area Lower
The main drag on the overall acreage figures comes from three traditionally dominant pulse-producing states.
Tur (pigeon pea):
- Karnataka: area down 23% to 10.53 lh (from 13.72 lh last year)
- Madhya Pradesh: down 22% to 2.51 lh (from 3.24 lh)
- Maharashtra: at 11.79 lh, marginally lower than 12.06 lh last year
Moong:
- Maharashtra: down 30% to 1.45 lh (from 2.09 lh)
- Karnataka: down 12% to 3.66 lh (from 4.16 lh)
- Rajasthan: nearly flat at 23.06 lh versus 23.24 lh
Deficit rains in Karnataka and Maharashtra have been the principal cause of sowing delays and area losses in both crops, reflecting the outsized influence these two states have on India's tur and moong output.
Shortfall in tur and moong area is not a cause for concern as there's enough stock. The Government is having a stock of 1.2 million tonnes, plus there are stocks at port and with the farmers and trade.
The offset story
UP, Telangana, Gujarat and Andhra Bridge the Gap
A significant reallocation of tur planting toward northern and eastern states has helped contain the national shortfall.
Tur area gains:
- Uttar Pradesh: surged 39% to 4.92 lh (from 3.53 lh) — the standout performer nationally
- Andhra Pradesh: up 16% to 1.78 lh (from 1.53 lh)
- Gujarat: up 9% to 2.38 lh (from 2.19 lh)
- Telangana: up 7% to 2.02 lh (from 1.88 lh)
Urad (black matpe) has shown an even stronger recovery. UP recorded a 65% jump in urad coverage to 6.11 lh (from 3.69 lh), Rajasthan expanded by 28% to 3.99 lh, and MP grew by 19% to 7.07 lh — collectively pushing national urad acreage past last year's level and turning what was an early-season concern into a positive development.
The industry read
Buffer Stocks and September Rains Are the Twin Safety Nets
Industry insiders are urging calm despite the tur and moong area deficits. Satish Upadhyay, Honorary Secretary of the India Pulses and Grains Association (IPGA), noted that government holdings stand at 1.2 million tonnes, supplemented by additional stocks at ports and with farmers and trade intermediaries.
Upadhyay also pointed to the recovery in urad coverage as a significant positive, and highlighted that forecast September rains could still improve yields across tur and moong belts. The combination of adequate inventories and a broadly on-track monsoon trajectory means that any supply tightness is expected to remain manageable — provided the season closes well.
For commodity desks, the immediate takeaway is that panic buying or pre-emptive import contracting is unlikely to be warranted at this stage, though vigilance on Karnataka and Maharashtra crop conditions through September remains advisable.
Why it matters
With pulses prices sensitive to even modest supply swings, the near-parity in acreage — despite rain deficits in two of the biggest producing states — is reassuring for traders and policymakers watching inflation. The government's 1.2-million-tonne buffer stock, combined with port and trade-level inventories, provides room to manage any short-term tightness in tur and moong markets. The critical variable now is September rainfall: a good close to the monsoon could lift yields and consolidate output, while a prolonged dry spell in Karnataka or Maharashtra would put renewed pressure on prices. Policymakers and commodity desks should keep a close watch on crop condition updates through September.
Frequently asked
- How does India's total pulses acreage in 2026 compare with the previous year?
- As of August 14, 2026, total pulses coverage was 108.14 lakh hectare, marginally below the 108.49 lakh hectare recorded in the same period of the previous year — a difference of under 0.4%.
- Which states have seen the biggest drop in tur acreage this kharif season?
- Karnataka recorded the steepest decline, with tur area falling 23% to 10.53 lakh hectare. Madhya Pradesh was down 22% to 2.51 lakh hectare, while Maharashtra slipped marginally to 11.79 lakh hectare from 12.06 lakh hectare.
- Is the government concerned about pulses supply given the area shortfall in tur and moong?
- Industry body IPGA has said the shortfall is not a cause for concern. The government holds a buffer stock of 1.2 million tonnes, and additional stocks exist at ports and with farmers and traders. Forecast September rains are also expected to support yields.
- Which states have seen the strongest growth in urad acreage this season?
- Uttar Pradesh led with a 65% jump in urad area to 6.11 lakh hectare, followed by Rajasthan (up 28% to 3.99 lakh hectare) and Madhya Pradesh (up 19% to 7.07 lakh hectare), more than offsetting a decline in Maharashtra.
Source
This report summarises and analyses coverage from The Hindu BusinessLine — Agri Business. The analysis and India context are IndianAgri's own.