New Delhi, Aug. 3 -- Kharif crop sowing continued to lag last year's pace despite an improvement in monsoon rainfall, with farmers planting crops across 89.4 million hectares as of 31 July, 2.65 million hectares less than the 92 million covered during the corresponding period a year ago, according to data from the agriculture ministry. The normal (2020-21 to 2024-25) kharif acreage was 110.46 million hectares.

Acreage under key kharif crops, including rice, pulses, coarse cereals and cotton, remained below last year's levels, although the overall sowing gap has narrowed in recent weeks as monsoon rainfall improved across several regions. In contrast, oilseeds and sugarcane recorded an increase in sown area.

Rice acreage stood at 30.14 m...