Sowing of kharifs crops like rice and pulses are picking up in various parts of the country. According to data released by the Agriculture Ministry, over 55 lakh hectare area have been covered under cultivation of rice so far while coarse cereals have been sown in around 22 lakh hectare area and oilseeds were sown in over 26 lakh hectare area. This time 66 thousand hectare more area heve been brought under cultivation of pulses so far as compared to the last year during the same period.