Farmers in the country have sown barley across 164,800 ha this rabi season, down 31.8% on year. Farmers are more interested in sowing mustard, late wheat crop, and other vegetables as these crops give better returns. Area under barley in Rajasthan, the largest producer, was down 78.5% on year so far at 21,600 ha. Also delay in harvesting of cotton, a kharif crop, in the state has also hit barley sowing this year.