New Delhi, July 14 -- Despite an improvement in rainfall during the first 10 days of July, kharif sowing in India continued to trail last year's pace. As of July 10, farmers had sown 350.85 lakh hectares, about 16% lower year-on-year. The gap, however, narrowed from a 21% deficit a week earlier as rainfall improved temporarily. However, the recovery may prove short-lived say experts. After widespread showers helped reduce the country's cumulative rainfall deficit from 40% at the end of June to 14% by July 9, monsoon activity weakened again, pushing the nationwide shortfall to 18% by Monday. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast subdued rainfall over the northwestern plains, west-central India and south Peninsular India over...