Kharif sowing near last year's level, key crops still lag

India's kharif acreage reached 109.6 million hectares by September 11, just 1.6 million hectares below last year. Rice, cotton, oilseeds, and sugarcane remain lower year-on-year while pulses showed gains. A 15% rainfall deficit with uneven monsoon distribution poses risks to crops at critical growth stages, agriculture ministry data showed.