New Delhi, Dec 31 (IANS): The sowing area of rabi crops has increased by 35.9 lakh hectares and the progress of rabi sowing has picked up with an increase in soil moisture, the Union Agriculture Ministry said on Tuesday.

As per preliminary reports received from the states, the total area sown under Rabi crops as on December 27 stands at 571.84 lakh hectares as compared to 536.35 lakh hectares for the corresponding period last year.

The increase in rabi sowing and implied production of grains augurs well for the Indian economy and for keeping inflation under check.

The progress in rabi sowing has picked up significantly with the improvement of soil moisture in almost all the rabi growing states.

As per official statistics, wheat has been sown over 297.02 lakh hectares, rice in 13.90 lakh hectares, pulses in 140.13 lakh hectares, coarse cereals in 46.66 lakh hectares and area sown under oilseeds is 74.12 lakh hectares.