Chandigarh, June 2 -- Paddy sowing began in five districts of Punjab's Malwa belt --Faridkot, Bathinda, Ferozepur, Muktsar and Fazilka -- on Sunday, June 1, in keeping with the early schedule for transplantation notified by the state government last week.

Though agriculture department officials could not readily provide data on how much area was covered on the first day, an official said that "farmers are enthusiastic about the early schedule".

The crop, this season, is expected to be grown over more than 31 lakh hectares (76 lakh acres). The water guzzling crop has seen an increase in area by 2 lakh hectares in the last three years.

In March, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, has sent recommendations to the state government fo...