Farmers in the country sowed urad across 167,600 ha this rabi season, up 7.4% on year. The acreage was also higher then the five-year average of 143,500 ha for the corresponding period. Sowing of urad is yet to begin in many states. Area under urad in Tamil Nadu, one of the major growers of the pulse, was up 12.8% on year at 105,800 ha.