Kharif sowing reached 98% of the normal area, a total of 1,073.98 lakh hectares, showing growth compared yearly.

• Overall Kharif area increased 3.5% YoY, from 1,038.58 to 1,073.98 lakh hectares this season overall
• Paddy cultivation expanded to 420.41 lakh hectares, a 7.6% rise over the previous year in Kharif
• Pulses area modestly grew to 112.77 lakh hectares; arhar fell 1.8% to 43.98 lakh hectares