Sowing of rabi crops — wheat, mustard, chana, masoor and maize, among others — has been brisk, with farmers planting nearly 10 per cent more area so far this time compared to last year. The main driver is the surplus rainfall from an extended southwest monsoon that has helped fill up reservoirs, recharge aquifers and bolster soil moisture. Also, farmers who suffered crop losses from excess rain during the kharif season are seeking to make up for it in rabi. The hike in the government’s minimum support prices (MSP), especially for wheat, has further boosted their enthusiasm. With the World Meteorological........

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