New Delhi, July 7 -- Kharif sowing gathered modest pace over the past week as the southwest monsoon strengthened across parts of the country, narrowing the acreage deficit to 20.8% as of July 5 from 22.7% a week earlier. Experts expect planting to accelerate further this week as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast rainfall across key agricultural regions over the next five days. Agriculture ministry data showed that Kharif crops had been sown across 44.3 million hectares by July 5. However, acreage under all major crops, including rice, pulses, coarse cereals, oilseeds and cotton, remained below last year's levels after the delayed onset and uneven progress of the monsoon slowed planting during June. Paddy acreage decline...