New Delhi, June 17 -- Sowing of kharif crops has picked up pace, with the total sown area reaching 8.93 million hectares as of 13 June, 148,000 hectares more than the year-ago period.

The increase in cultivated area is largely driven by higher acreage of rice, pulses, and oilseeds, according to the latest data released by the farm ministry.

Paddy, the most important kharif crop, was sown across 453,000 hectares, an increase of over 13%. Pulses and oilseeds saw 18% and 36.6% year-on-year increase in area, respectively, on hopes of an above-normal monsoon, as predicted by the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

Among pulses, moong and urad saw their acreage increase, while that for arhar declined.

Meanwhile, higher oilseed areas and ...