India, Aug. 25 -- Cultivation area in Maharashtra's Marathwada region has shrunk by nearly 3.5 lakh hectares this year, with rainfall running 20.3% below average, according to agriculture department data.

The sowing area stands at 46.19 lakh hectare- down 7% from the five-year average of 49.72 lakh hectares, and 2 lakh hectares less than last year, the department said.

Marathwada- comprising Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Jalna, Beed, Parbhani, Nanded, Hingoli, Dharashiv and Latur districts - has received 479.1mm of rain, 20.3% below the expected 586.1mm. The deficit is sharper in Parbhani (34.7%) and Latur (40.6%), according to a separate official report.

The contraction is most visible in cash crops. Cotton acreage has fallen by 2.65 lak...