Sowing of kharif crops shown a steady increase during this week. Kharif sowing crosses 96.62 million hectare as compared to 99.80 million hectare at this time last year, the government said on Friday.

Rice has been sowed on area of 35 million hectare, while pulses was sown on 9.54 million hectare, coarse cereals was sown on 17.08 million hectare.

Oilseeds have been sowed on area of 17.22 million hectare.

Sugarcane was sown on area of 4.72 million hectare.

Meanwhile, cotton and jute and mesta were sown on 12.25 million hectare and 0.81 million hectare respectively.