New Delhi, Jan. 20 -- Farmers have planted wheat, the winter staple, on 33.4 million hectares aided by favourable weather conditions, which is 7% higher than the five-year average, figures released by the agriculture ministry on Monday showed.

Acreage under total rabi or winter-sown crops, at 65.2 million hectares, is up 2.3% than the five-year benchmark, according to the official data. The total area sown is however slightly less than the previous year's acreage, when it was 65.9 million hectares. Most winter crops are nearing the harvesting stage, which usually begins at the end of February.

The winter-sown season accounts for nearly half of India's annual food supply and robust harvests help to keep a lid on inflation, aside from dri...