Kharif crops have been sown in over 1041 lakh hectare till date as against 1049 lakh hectare last year. <br/><br/>It is nearly eight lakh hectare less than last year figure. Crop sowing data released by the Agriculture Ministry, reveals that the rice has been sown in over 371 lakh hectare. Over 139 lakh hectare area has been covered under the cultivation of pulses.<br/><br/>The coarse cereals have been sown in over 183 lakh hectare, oilseeds in over 169 lakh hectare and cotton in over 120 lakh hectare.