The acreage is almost unchanged from that in the year-ago period–175,700 hectare. It is, however, lower than the normal area of 207,000 hectare for this period, based on the average of the last five years. In Odisha, one of India major rice producing states, paddy was sown over 300 hectare, up 200% from a year ago. In Assam, another major producer, the acreage was down 9.2% on year at 59,000 hectare. Sowing is yet to begin in Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Punjab.