★ According to official data, the total area sown under all crops as of January 2 stood at 634.14 lakh hectares, compared with 617.74 lakh hectares in the corresponding period last year. Nearly 20 lakh hectares were covered during the past week. Even so, the current coverage is slightly below the normal level for the season—the five-year average of 637.81 lakh hectares—which is expected to be achieved by January 9.

★ The total area under pulses increased to 134.30 lakh hectares, up 2.6% from 130.87 lakh hectares a year ago. Chana (gram) acreage rose to 95.88 lakh hectares from 91.22 lakh hectares last year, registering a growth of 5.1%. Masur (lentil) area stood at 17.06 lakh hectares, marginally higher than 16.85 lakh hectares a year ago.

★ Pea sowing, however, has not crossed 8 lakh hectares, compared with 8.27 lakh hectares last year.

★ There has been no change in the area under chana and masur since December 26, indicating that rabi sowing is now nearing completion.