New Delhi: The total area sown under kharif crops in the current season has increased by 7.01 lakh hectares to 1,120.73 lakh hectares, as on September 26, compared with the corresponding figure of 1113.72 lakh hectares in the same period last year, data released by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare on Monday showed.

The increase in sown area is expected to lead to higher production, which, in turn, would increase the incomes of farmers and also help to keep food inflation in check.

The official figures show that the area under rice is 441.58 lakh hectares this year, which has gone up by 5.91 lakh hectares from 435.68 lakh hectares during the same period last year.

The area under pulses such as urad and moong has gone up to 119.85 lakh hectares from 118.95 lakh hectares dur

See Full Page