about 1.3 % lower than 12.57 lakh ha last year. Rabi sowing has covered a total area of 512.53 lakh hectares (lh), about 4.6 per cent lower than 537.12 lh covered in the same period in 2017-19. Drought in Karnataka and Maharashtra, on the other hand, has affected coarse cereals. Both the States have reported a decline in acreage. Tamil Nadu, on the other hand, has gone for higher maize cultivation this season. Still, maize is still 10 per cent down as compared to last year, because of poor sowing in Bihar, another State reeling under drought. Coarse cereals cultivation is down by 17.37 per cent to 40.26 lh till date.