New Delhi:(IANS) Kharif crops have been sown on a total area of 1,031.37 lakh hectares as on October 1, official data showed on Thursday.

The sowing of monsoon crops was on an area of 1,017.86 lakh hectares during the corresponding time of last year.

Rice, a widely eaten food in the country, was transplanted on 375.93 lakh hectares, pulses on 114.58 lakh hectare and coarse cereals on 183.16 lakh hectares, according to the data released by the union agriculture ministry.

Oilseeds were planted on 184.64 lakh hectares, sugarcane on 48.84 lakh hectares and cotton on 116.41 lakh hectares.