Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Thursday said the country’s kharif (summer) rice output is expected to surpass last year’s level. He cited anticipated higher yields despite some crop damage from heavy rains. “Rice sowing has progressed very well thanks to good rains,” Chouhan said, according to a PTI report. Some areas like Andhra Pradesh and Telangana have suffered damage due to heavy rains, but this will not reduce production. Overall, rice production will be better than last year.
Kharif rice crop accounts for 70% of total rice production
According to the news, the Kharif rice crop, which is harvested around November, accounts for about 70 percent of India’s total rice production. According to the government’s third estimate, Kharif rice production stood at 114. 36 million tonnes in the 2023-24 crop year (July-June). The minister said that the total rice acreage has increased by 1.64 million hectares to 41 million hectares till last week.
Chauhan expressed optimism about the overall kharif crop production despite some damage to oilseed crops like soybean. The government has recently removed the minimum export price (MEP) of $950 per tonne on basmati rice. The government says the move will boost exports and increase farmers’ income.
Better sowing for pulses, coarse grains and oilseeds
Chouhan noted better sowing area for pulses, coarse cereals and oilseeds compared to last year, as well as expected increase in productivity due to use of better crop varieties. Earlier, discussing the achievements of the first 100 days of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s third term, Chouhan emphasised the government’s strategy to increase both agricultural production and farmers’ income by ensuring assured procurement at Minimum Support Price (MSP).
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