Farmers across the country had sown bajra across 7.1 mln ha as of 31 aug, up 4.5% on year. The acreage across the country was also higher than the five-year average of 6.67 mln ha for the period. In Rajasthan, the largest grower of the coarse grain, area under bajra is at 4.37 mln ha, up 16.1% on year. The state has received 16% above normal rains in the southwest monsoon season so far. Bajra acreage in Maharashtra fell 20.7% on year to 663,000 ha. Production of bajra for 2016-17 (Jul-Jun) was estimated at 9.80 mln tn.