India's kharif crop area 21 lakh hectares less than a year ago as pace of sowing slows

India’s kharif crop area reached 1,016.57 lakh hectares as of August 14, which is 21 lakh hectares less than a year ago. The Agriculture Ministry said the pace of sowing slowed down because the monsoon turned out to be 22 per cent deficient. Many states reported a decrease in planting area.