The total sown area as on 19 th August, 2016 as per reports received from States, stands at 992.76 lakh hectare as compared to 938.57 lakh hectare at this time last year.
It is reported that rice has been sown/transplanted in 346.38 lakh ha, pulses in 136.04 lakh ha, coarse cereals in 180.20 lakh ha, oilseeds in 175.49 lakh ha, sugarcane in 45.55 lakh hectare and cotton in 101.54 lakh ha.
The details of the area covered so far and that covered during this time last year are given below:
Lakh hectare
| Crop | Area sown in 2016-17 | Area sown in 2015-16 |
| Rice | 346.38 | 334.26 |
| Pulses | 136.04 | 100.57 |
| Coarse Cereals | 180.20 | 167.69 |
| Oilseeds | 175.49 | 168.49 |
| Sugarcane | 45.55 | 49.60 |
| Jute & Mesta | 7.56 | 7.73 |
| Cotton | 101.54 | 110.23 |
| Total | 992.76 | 938.57 |