Inidan farmers across the country sowed paddy across 11.68 mln ha this kharif season, down 8% on year. The area under paddy was also below the normal average area of 13.02 mln ha for the period. However, after a delayed start, the sowing of paddy picked up pace last week, with rainfall increasing over the country. Paddy acreage is up 73.53% from the previous week. Uttar Pradesh, which is the largest grower of paddy in the country, has recorded a fall of 11.7% on year in paddy area to 1.73 mln ha due to below-normal rains.