Acreage under paddy crop across the country this kharif season was at 35.7 mln ha. The area under paddy was, however, higher than the average 35.4 mln ha for the period. Also, the lag in acreage has reduced from 3% a fortnight ago. The slight fall in acreage can be attributed to lower sowing in key producing states of Assam, Bihar and Jharkhand, where weak monsoon rains hit planting. Paddy is a water-intensive crop and requires bountiful rains during sowing and transplantation of saplings from nursery to the fields. Paddy sowing was also lower on year in Punjab at 3.04 mln ha.