Urad cultivation has expanded to 18.67 lakh hectares, an 8% increase driven by strong prices and favorable rains in northern states. While production in states like Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh is growing, severe rainfall deficits in Maharashtra and Karnataka have hampered sowing. The final harvest volume will depend heavily on weather conditions through the September-October period.
Detailed Coverage
Urad, or black matpe, has seen a recovery in its sowing area for the current kharif season. As of July 24, 2026, total acreage reached 18.67 lakh hectares, reflecting an 8% increase compared to the previous year. This growth is largely concentrated in the northern and central regions, where favorable rainfall patterns have encouraged farmers to shift toward pulse cultivation.
Regional Growth and Price Incentives
Farmers have been incentivized by robust market prices, which have remained high relative to other crops. The shorter growth cycle of urad—typically 60 to 80 days—coupled with its lower water consumption, makes it a favorable option for farmers looking to maximize land utility. Madhya Pradesh remains the largest contributor to this growth, with its cultivation area expanding by 13% to 6.17 lakh hectares. Uttar Pradesh has reported an even sharper rise, with acreage jumping by 75% to 4.99 lakh hectares, while Rajasthan saw a 16% increase to 3.25 lakh hectares.
Drought Impact in Southern States
While the north has seen expansion, the national total masks regional distress. Monsoon delays and insufficient rainfall have severely disrupted agriculture in key southern and western states. Maharashtra has reported a 53% decline in acreage, falling to 1.6 lakh hectares, while Karnataka saw a 24% drop to 0.71 lakh hectares. These two states are critical for overall production, and their reduced output is expected to place significant reliance on the successful harvest of northern crops to balance domestic supply.
Implications for Market Supply
For investors and trade participants, the divergence in regional performance is a critical factor. Trade analysts anticipate that output from Maharashtra and Karnataka may be limited to roughly a quarter of normal levels. Consequently, the price trend for urad will likely be influenced by the ability of northern farmers to sustain their acreage gains and the quality of yields achieved during the final stages of the monsoon in September and October.
Market watchers should monitor rainfall updates and updated sowing data in the coming weeks. The primary monitorable will be the yield per hectare in the northern regions, as any further weather-related issues could tighten the supply-demand balance and put additional upward pressure on pulse prices across the country.