Sunflower Crop Declines 64% Due to Insufficient Rain and Shift to More Profitable Crops

This kharif season has seen a significant decline in the area cultivated for sunflowers due to inadequate rainfall in primary production regions and farmers opting for more lucrative crops such as maize and pulses. According to the Agriculture Ministry data, sunflower cultivation has decreased by 64% as of August 18, standing at 0.66 lakh hectares (lh), compared to 1.85 lh the previous year. The most notable drop in cultivation is in Karnataka, the leading producer state, which experienced a delayed monsoon and deficient rains. Additionally, after receiving subpar compensation in the prior season, as market prices were below the minimum support price (MSP), farmers in the region have transitioned to planting maize and pulses. This shift has notably affected the oilseed area in Karnataka. The Centre has announced an MSP of ₹6,760 per quintal for sunflower for 2023-24, an increase of ₹360 from last year. Unlike maize, which is easier to grow and has a guaranteed market, sunflower is more susceptible to diseases and lacks procurement backing. Furthermore, the bullish pricing trend in the pulses crop and higher maize prices has led some farmers to pivot away from sunflower.