The paddy cultivation in the country has increased to 115.36 lakh hectares this year so far. It is nearly one per cent more than last year. An official statement says, the acreage of pulses and cotton has gone down. Paddy, the main kharif crop, was grown in 114.85 lakh hectares area till July 15 last year. AIR correspondent reports, higher acreage of paddy has been reported from Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Bihar, West Bengal and Haryana.The country also witnessed nearly 5 per cent increase at 51.36 lakh hectares areas under sugarcane till July 15 against over 49 lakh hectares area a year ago.