New Delhi, July 21 -- India's basmati rice acreage is expected to increase this kharif season as strong prices and robust export demand encourage farmers to shift away from conventional paddy, even as uneven monsoon rains delay overall paddy sowing, according to exporters, farmers and industry experts.

Farmers in Punjab, Haryana, western Uttar Pradesh and parts of Jammu are also expected to expand cultivation of short-duration basmati varieties, which mature about three weeks earlier than traditional varieties and help reduce the risk of delayed rainfall and moisture stress.

The shift comes as overall paddy sowing remains behind last year's pace. Between 1 June and 17 July, paddy had been planted over 16.6 million hectares, down from 16...