Indias moong acreage was at 3.21 mln ha, up 6.1% on year, led by a rise in the area in Rajasthan and Karnataka. In Rajasthan, the largest grower, the area under the crop jumped 20.1% on year to 1.86 mln ha. Initial rainfall in the state has been good, which has boosted sowing. However, the state has recorded below-normal rainfall during Jun 1-Aug 12. The rise in overall acreage this year is also due to the government announcing a steep hike of 50% in the minimum support price for 2018-19. However, the acreage was down in some states as farmers have sown more paddy, cotton and soybean.