Kharif crop acreage down 16% as sugarcane bucks trend on ethanol demand

Overall kharif crop sowing has declined by 16% as of last Friday, according to latest agricultural data. While most crops have seen reduced acreage, sugarcane stands out as an exception, recording a rise in cultivated area despite water scarcity concerns. Pulses and cereals have been hit hardest, registering the steepest drops in sown area this season. Farmers are increasingly shifting toward cash crops in pursuit of better market returns. This preference for sugarcane aligns with the government's ethanol production goals and helps reduce the country's import expenditure.