Analysts said lower rainfall and weak prices have affected planting activity in the country. According to latest data from the agriculture ministry, area under rice and pulses cultivation is about 4% less than last year. “In terms of agriculture, the area sown for most of the crops is lower this year,” said Madan Sabnavis, chief economist at Care Ratings. “It’s a combination of monsoon being irregular and surplus production last year, which led to prices coming down, especially for pulses and oilseeds,” he said. Source - The Economic Times 6 Aug 18