The cultivated area includes soft wheat (44%), barley (34%) and durum wheat 22%, according to a statement by the ministry.

The pace of cereal sowing has accelerated to reach 3 million hectares in one month following the rains recorded in late November and December.

"The cultivation of autumn crops has experienced a good momentum starting from the last ten days of November 2020, it said. Mechanical tillage covers 94% of the area dedicated to fall crops.

The total area sown to date, all fall crops combined, totals 4.76 million hectares, 9% of which is irrigated. Cereals come in the first place (86%) followed by fodder (10%) and legumes (4%)," the ministry revealed.