The all-India mustard acreage has been estimated at around 84.67 lakh hectares (lh) till December 15, 2025, against 81.16 lh in the corresponding perioda a year ago, a growth of around 4.32 per cent.
According to the third report of the ‘Mustard Crop Monitoring Study for the Rabi Season 2025–26’ prepared by Agriwatch, states such as Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, and West Bengal showed significant expansion during the period.
The Solvent Extractors’ Association of India (SEA) has engaged Agriwatch as the official agency for rape-mustard crop survey for 2025-26.
Most mustard crops are at branching to flowering/pod formation stage, with early-sown fields progressing to pod development / seed formation stage.
According to the report, overall condition is normal across all monitored States, and sucking pest incidences remain below the economic threshold levels.
It noted that no rainfall was recorded during the first fortnight of December 2025. Favourable temperatures, adequate soil moisture, and irrigation support aided crop growth and development, it said.
Re-sowing in Rajasthan
Mustard sowing in Rajasthan was completed on time, but early-season excess rainfall in September and October affected early-sown crops, necessitating some re-sowing in low-lying areas. The report said that clear weather and favourable soil moisture and temperatures over the past 30-35 days supported smooth crop recovery. The crop is now 35-50 days old, mostly at the branching to flowering stage, while early-planted and early-maturing varieties have reached pod formation and development.
Farmers are cultivating long-duration hybrid varieties and applying first irrigation with nitrogen at flowering stage, supporting crop growth.
Though sucking pest incidences have been observed, they remain below the economic threshold, and overall crop condition is normal, though re-sown areas are slightly below timely-sown crops, it said.
Uttar Pradesh persists
In Uttar Pradesh, mustard sowing progressed well despite unseasonal rainfall in October that affected germination in some districts. Dry and favourable conditions through November and the first fortnight of December allowed the crop to recover. At present, the crop is 45-60 days old, mostly at flowering to pod formation, with early-sown and short-duration varieties advancing to pod development and seed formation.
Adequate soil moisture and favourable temperatures supported growth, while sucking pest incidences remain below threshold. The health of re-sown or late-sown fields is slightly below timely-sown crops, but overall, the mustard crop condition is normal, the report said.
Madhya Pradesh recovering
Mustard crops in Madhya Pradesh faced stress in late October due to unseasonal and excess rainfall, particularly in low-lying areas, which temporarily affected establishment. Favourable clear weather, soil moisture, and slightly below-normal temperatures through November and early December aided recovery. The crop is now 50-65 days old at peak flowering to pod formation with early-sown fields at pod development to seed formation, while late-sown and re-sown crops remain at branching stage.
It said that farmers are mostly using long-duration hybrid varieties and applying irrigation at flowering. Sucking pest incidences are reported but below economic thresholds. Overall crop condition is normal, though re-sown fields are slightly below timely-sown crops.
Pest-free Haryana
In Haryana, mustard sowing was timely, but early October rains impacted germination in some areas. Favourable weather during November and the first fortnight of December, along with adequate soil moisture and favourable temperatures, supported crop growth. The crop is 45-60 days old at peak vegetative to flowering / pod formation with early-planted or early-maturing fields advancing to flowering, pod development, and seed formation. Re-sown crops are slightly below normal, and no significant pest incidences have been reported.
West Bengal steady
The report said that mustard sowing in West Bengal progressed steadily, with early-planted fields now 35-55 days old, at branching to flowering initiation, while pod formation has started in early fields. Excessive rainfall in early November initially affected crop health in districts such as Jalpaiguri, Maldah, Alipurduar, Dakshin Dinajpur, Uttar Dinajpur, and Cooch Behar.
Clear weather and absence of rainfall during the second fortnight of November and first fortnight of December, along with favourable temperatures, supported crop recovery.
Sowing over in Assam
In Assam, mustard sowing has been completed with the crop now 20-35 days old at the vegetative to branching stage. Early-planted fields have reached peak vegetative growth. Earlier rainfall ensured adequate soil moisture, while the absence of rainfall in the first fortnight of December and favourable temperatures supported crop establishment. Sucking pest incidences have been observed in some fields but remain below economic thresholds.
Gujarat, Bihar progresses
The report said that mustard crops in Gujarat are 45-60 days old at flowering to pod development, with early-sown fields progressing to seed formation. November and early December were mostly dry, but adequate soil moisture and favourable temperatures supported growth. Sucking pest incidence is low and below threshold.
Mustard sowing in Bihar was timely, aided by adequate rainfall in early October, and the crop is now 35-50 days old at branching to flowering initiation with early-sown fields at pod formation. Dry conditions in November and early December, along with favourable temperatures and soil moisture, supported crop growth, it said.
The report said that state-wise mustard area figures for 2025-26 are as on December 15 2025. While exact sowing data is available for Rajasthan and Gujarat, other states’ acreage is estimated from past four-year trends. The report said that these estimates are tentative and may change as sowing progresses. District-level estimations and farmer surveys are underway, with revised figures to be shared in the January 2026 report.