Rabi sowing area is lags behind this year due to unseasonal rains. The govt data released on 8th Nov shows that farmers have covered only 95.35 lakh ha against 112.24 lakh ha last year. This means that it is around 17 lakh ha less than last year. Farmers have covered 19.82 lakh ha under chana against 26.63 lakh ha last year. Even masur area is laging behind and farmers have covered only 1.91 lakh ha against 3.46 lakh ha last year till date. However, urad area is slightly lower this year at 1.12lakh ha.Even pea area is lower at 1.42 lakh ha against 2.67 lakh ha last year. Late start of sowing may impact overall area of urad and pea this year.