Uttar Pradesh has experienced a substantial surge in the cultivation of key Kharif crops, specially oilseeds and pulses, during the 2025 season. The total area under oilseed crops rose sharply by nearly 1.25 times—from 432.25 thousand hectares in 2024 to 547.14 thousand hectares in 2025. The most notable increase was seen in sesame, which expanded from 180.26 thousand hectares to 303 thousand hectares in just one year. Groundnut and soybean also saw gains, with groundnut rising from 204 thousand to 218 thousand hectares and soybean from 34.12 thousand to 40 thousand hectares.
For pulses, pigeon pea (arhar) continues as the leading Kharif pulse, its area increasing from 184 thousand to 273 thousand hectares, while moong cultivation also rose slightly from 30,000 to 32,000 hectares. There has also been a significant increase in other major Kharif crops, with paddy acreage expanding from 4,193 thousand to 5,546 thousand hectares and maize from 636 thousand to 701 thousand hectares.
1. Introduction: The Agricultural Backbone of Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh (UP), India’s most populous state, is also a powerhouse of Indian agriculture. Covering an area of 2.43 lakh sq km, the state boasts nearly 17.6 million hectares of cultivable land, making it one of the largest agrarian economies in the country.
- Total agricultural land: ~24 million hectares (about 70% of total land area)
- Total number of farmers: ~24 million (2.4 crore)
- Farmer classification:
- Marginal farmers (<1 ha): ~78%
- Small farmers (1–2 ha): ~13%
- Medium and large farmers: ~9%
- Marginal farmers (<1 ha): ~78%
Agriculture contributes around 25% to the state’s GSDP and employs over 60% of the rural workforce. Given this scale, any shift in cropping pattern has far-reaching implications for food security, rural income, and national agri-trade.
2. Kharif 2025: Surge in Oilseeds and Pulses Acreage
In Kharif 2025 (April–July sowing), UP has witnessed a significant surge in acreage under oilseeds and pulses, especially:
- Sesame (Til)
- Groundnut (Moongphali)
- Soybean
- Arhar (Pigeon Pea)
- Moong (Green Gram)
🌱 Data Highlights: Kharif 2025 vs. 2024
| Crop | Acreage 2024 (Lakh ha) | Acreage 2025 (Lakh ha) | % Growth |
| Pulses Total | 5.17 | 8.90 | +72% |
| Oilseeds Total | 4.10 | 6.75 | +64% |
| Paddy | 59.20 | 60.50 | +2.2% |
| Maize | 7.75 | 8.10 | +4.5% |
| Cotton | 0.12 | 0.14 | +16% |
Source: UP Agriculture Dept, July 2025 estimates
This data clearly indicates farmers’ diversification away from paddy and towards more remunerative and less water-intensive crops.
3. Government Policy Support: MSPs and Procurement
The Minimum Support Price (MSP) mechanism has played a vital role in this cropping shift. Farmers have responded positively to higher MSPs announced for oilseeds and pulses.
📊 MSP Comparison: 2024–25 vs 2025–26
| Crop | MSP 2024–25 (₹/q) | MSP 2025–26 (₹/q) | % Increase |
| Moong | ₹8,558 | ₹8,682 | +1.45% |
| Arhar | ₹7,000 | ₹7,150 | +2.14% |
| Groundnut | ₹6,377 | ₹6,455 | +1.22% |
| Soybean | ₹4,600 | ₹4,750 | +3.26% |
| Sesame | ₹8,635 | ₹8,855 | +2.55% |
| Paddy (common) | ₹2,183 | ₹2,300 | +5.35% |
Note: MSP = Minimum Support Price per quintal
Source: Ministry of Agriculture, GoI
Additionally, the Centre has approved MSP procurement for Moong and Groundnut in UP under the Price Support Scheme (PSS), further encouraging acreage expansion.
4. Impact on Farmer Income: A Comparative View
Let’s estimate the per hectare profitability for major crops in 2024–25 vs. 2025–26 (assuming average yield and full MSP realization).
💰 Estimated Farmer Income per Hectare (₹)
| Crop | Avg Yield (q/ha) | MSP 2025–26 (₹/q) | Gross Income/ha | Net Income/ha* |
| Moong | 7.5 | ₹8,682 | ₹65,115 | ₹45,000 |
| Arhar | 10 | ₹7,150 | ₹71,500 | ₹50,000 |
| Groundnut | 18 | ₹6,455 | ₹1,16,190 | ₹85,000 |
| Soybean | 12 | ₹4,750 | ₹57,000 | ₹38,000 |
| Paddy | 22 | ₹2,300 | ₹50,600 | ₹28,000 |
*Net income assumes cost of production including seeds, fertilizer, labor, irrigation, etc.
📌 Income Comparison:
- Groundnut gives >2x income compared to paddy.
- Moong and Arhar yield significantly higher net returns than traditional cereals.
Hence, shifting acreage toward pulses and oilseeds has boosted farmer profitability by 30–60% in many districts.
5. Reasons Behind the Shift in Cropping Pattern
✅ Economic Incentives:
- Higher MSP for pulses and oilseeds
- Better net returns than paddy
- Increased market demand (domestic + exports)
✅ Environmental Factors:
- Pulses and oilseeds are less water-intensive
- Suitable for rainfed areas of Bundelkhand and Eastern UP
- Support soil health through nitrogen fixation (esp. pulses)
✅ Policy Push:
- National Food Security Mission (NFSM) – pulses and oilseeds
- State government promoting diversification and input support
- Improved availability of quality seeds and extension services
6. Region-Wise Highlights in UP
🌾 Bundelkhand Region:
- Significant rise in Arhar, Groundnut, and Soybean
- Drought-resilient crops favored over paddy
🌾 Purvanchal (Eastern UP):
- Major expansion of Moong, Sesame, and Paddy
- Adoption of high-yielding varieties supported by NGOs and Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs)
🌾 Central UP:
- Balanced growth across all major Kharif crops
- Higher MSP for Moong and Groundnut attracting attention
7. Policy Outlook & Sustainability Concerns
🧩 Challenges:
- Yield volatility in rainfed crops
- MSP procurement not universal (esp. in oilseeds)
- Market price fluctuations
- Storage and processing infrastructure still weak
🔄 Recommendations:
- Ensure timely procurement centers for pulses/oilseeds
- Promote contract farming & FPO aggregation
- Invest in warehousing and agro-processing
- Support micro-irrigation to stabilize yields
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✅ Data to Remember:
- UP Pulses Acreage: ↑ from 5.17 lakh ha (2024) → 8.90 lakh ha (2025)
- Groundnut Profit/ha: ₹85,000 vs Paddy ₹28,000
- Farmer Category: ~78% marginal, ~13% small
9. Conclusion: A Structural Shift in Progress
Uttar Pradesh is witnessing a welcome transformation in its agricultural strategy — one that blends economic viability with ecological sustainability. The state’s pivot to oilseeds and pulses is not only enhancing farmer incomes, but also aiding the national agenda of self-reliance in edible oils and balanced nutrition.
If these trends sustain — backed by strong policy and infrastructure — UP could become a national model for crop diversification, rural prosperity, and resilient agriculture.