New Delhi, July 20 -- Kharif sowing remained below last year's level despite improved monsoon rainfall, with farmers planting crops across 65.8 million hectares as of 17 July, down 4.2 million hectares from a year earlier, according to data from the ministry of agriculture and farmers welfare.

Last year, the total area sown was 70 million hectares as of 17 July. Sowing of key kharif crops, including paddy, pulses, oilseeds and cotton, remained well below last year's levels.

Among major crops, paddy acreage was down by 141,000 hectares from a year ago, with farmers sowing the crop on 16.6 million hectares, down from 16.7 million hectares last year.

The acreage under oilseeds is also trailing, with sowing at 14.7 million hectares, down b...