The sowing area of Kharif crop declined by around 79 lakh hectare to about 749 lakhhectare as on today. It was 828 lakh hectare during the corresponding period of last year. According to data released by Agriculture Ministry, the area under rice is about 234 lakh hectare against nearly 259 lakh hectare during the corresponding period of last year. However, higher area reported in the state of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar. Less area of rice sowing reported mainly in Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. The less are coverage in West Bengal is due to deficient rain by about 27 per cent in the district of South 24 Pargana, Nadia, Murshidabad, Birbhum, Purulia, Bankura and West Midnapur. Total coverage of sugarcane increased from around 51 lakh hectare to nearly 53 lakh hectare. The total coverage of pulses so far is over 72 lakh hectare against 87 lakh hectare last year, which is about 15 lakh hectare less than the area sown during the corresponding period of last year. Sowing area of total Coarse Cereal and oilseed also remained lower.