Sowing of kharif crops commenced early this year in many parts of the country, helped by early onset of pre-monsoon rains in southern India and thundershowers in central and northern India. Farmers have planted kharif crops over 6.92 million ha so far this season, up 10.5% on year. Farmers have planted pulses over 0.112 million ha, up sharply from 71,000 ha in the year ago. Acreage under oilseeds and coarse grains so far has more than doubled to 127,000 ha and 54,000 ha, respectively, while that under sugarcane has increased by over 6% to 4.65 million ha.