Sowing of rabi crops has picked up since last week, but the area under wheat is still lower this season than in the corresponding period last year. The total area sown under rabi crops is 546.02 lakh hectares so far as against 544.97 lakh hectares planted in the corresponding period last year, according to the official data released here on Friday. The area under wheat at 262.74 lakh hectares is still lagging as compared to 272.62 lakh hectares sown at this time last year. Coarse cereals have been planted in 49.41 lakh hectares which is slightly lower than last year. The area under oil seeds is also lower at 73.03 lakh hectares as against 78.27 lakh hectares planted in the corresponding period last year. The area under rice and pulses is, however, higher at 14.78 lakh hectares and 146.06 lakh hectares respectively.