Farmers across the country sowed paddy across 6.73 mln ha this kharif season, down 14.9% on year. The area under paddy was also lower than the normal of of 8.57 mln ha for the period. The decline in acreage can be attributed to subdued monsoon rains in key growing regions. Paddy is a water-intensive crop. During Jun 1-Jul 8, the country received 214.2 mm rainfall, 8% below the normal weighted average of 233.5 mm. Sowing of kharif paddy was down in the key producing states of Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Haryana.