India, July 28 -- Above-normal rainfall in July has triggered a dramatic turnaround in Maharashtra's Kharif sowing, reversing the sluggish start caused by a weak monsoon in June, according to the state agriculture department.

The latest figures show Kharif sowing has been completed across 117.68 lakh hectares, covering 82% of the state's normal Kharif area of 144.36 lakh hectares. Although sowing remains about 10% lower than the corresponding period last year, when 132.7 lakh hectares had been covered, officials said the gap has narrowed rapidly following widespread rainfall this month.

Maharashtra has received 340.9 mm of rainfall in July so far against the normal 288.2 mm, an excess of 18.2%, providing much-needed soil moisture and fa...