Farmers across the country have sown paddy across 19.76 mln ha this kharif season as of Thursday, down 12.4% on year. The area under paddy was also below the average area of 22.40 mln ha for the period. The fall in acreage can be attributed to lower sowing in top growing states of Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar, and Jharkhand. Weak monsoon rains in West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, and eastern parts of Uttar Pradesh slowed the process of sowing. Eastern Uttar Pradesh had received 298.1 mm rainfall during Jun 1-Jul 30, 25% below normal. Overall monsoon rains in eastern and northeastern India during Jun 1-Jul 30 was 555.4 mm, 28% below normal.