Farmers had sown rabi crops on 37.56 lakh hectares by October 30, about 46% less than the 69.02 lakh hectares a year earlier, according to agriculture ministry data.
Wheat had been planted on just 19,000 hectares, against 3.34 lakh hectares last year. Pulses were down 52% and mustard 46%.
A 13% shortfall in monsoon rain left soils dry, and reservoirs in key wheat states are below normal. Officials say sowing can continue into December.