The area under paddy crop across the country this kharif season was at 30.8 mln ha. The area under paddy was higher than the average 30.5 mln ha for the period. Though paddy sowing in the country was lower on year, the lag in acreage has reduced from over 4% a week ago to 3%. The fall in acreage can be attributed to lower sowing in top producers Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Odisha, and Jharkhand due to weak monsoon rains. During Jun 1-Aug 12, the country received 503.2 mm rainfall, 11% below the normal weighted average of 562.3 mm.