With adequate pre-monsoon showers in Maharashtra, sowing of key kharif crops, particularly cotton, maize and soybean, has increased sharply. Erratic rainfall in the last couple of days in some regions in the state is likely to raise concerns over the growth of the early sown crop. Cotton acreage in Maharashtra, the second-largest producer, rose a sharp around 203% on year to 332,308 ha as on Friday because of higher returns in the ongoing season.