Overall sowing area is 1.2% higher as compared with the same period last year, covering a total of 733.4 lakh hectares as of July 21, 2023, according to data published by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. For pulses, it's 10% below last year.
Sowing areas for rice, cereals, oilseeds, and jute have exceeded last year's figures despite the delayed onset of monsoon and uneven distribution of rainfall, the data showed.