Farmers in the country had planted kharif maize over 344,000 ha as of 08 June, up 14.7% on year. Acreage is also higher than the normal area of 324,000 ha for the corresponding period. While, for the entire kharif season the normal area based on the average of last five years is 7.42 mln ha. Rise in acreage under the coarse grain can be attributed to the early onset of monsoon this year and good pre-monsoon showers in key maize-growing areas.