The area under wheat cultivation has risen marginally to 26.55 million hectare so far in the current rabi season, but the acreage of oilseeds, pulses and coarse cereals remained lower than last year's period.

A release issued by the Agriculture Ministry said farmers have sown wheat in 26.55 million hectare as on Friday, compared to 26.49 million hectare in the corresponding year-ago period.

Higher coverage has been reported from Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhatisgarh and Jharkhand. However, in the case of coarse cereals, oilseeds, pulses and paddy, coverage has not improved from the level achieved in the year-ago period.