Ludhiana, July 14 -- Over 90 per cent of the area expected to be under paddy cultivation this Kharif season has been covered already with paddy transplantation starting only a month ago.

"90-92% of the area which was expected to go under paddy cultivation has been covered successfully so far in just over a month of transplantation," said chief agricultural officer Gurdeep Singh.

The remaining 10 percent area or so hasn't been covered yet as it had standing crops like summer maize or moong. It is only after these are harvested that sowing will begin on this chunk of land.

"Some farmers go for summer maize and moong to supplement their income in the interim between the Rabi and Kharif crops. These will go into harvesting in around 10 day...