Rice, India's dominant foodgrain, saw a 3.5% decline in acreage year-on-year, making it particularly vulnerable to moisture stress during critical growth stages. Maize, essential for poultry, livestock, and industrial uses, experienced a 2.9% drop in acreage, with yield losses likely during flowering and grain filling stages. Other cereals also saw a 2.3% decline, raising concerns about simultaneous yield losses in key producing states.