The government has revised kharif rice output estimates by over 3 per cent or 2.2 million tonnes, the agriculture ministry said in a release. With this revision, the kharif rice output estimates now stands at 71.65 million tonnes instead of 69.45 million tonnes.
The revision comes at a time when the country has been exploring possibilities of importing rice.
The revision comes on the back of an increase in the area under paddy and productivity of the crop following late rain during August-September period, the ministry said.
Even after this revision, the country’s kharif rice output would still be lower by over 15 per cent compared to last year’s output of 84.58 million tonnes. The sowing and productivity this kharif season was affected by the worst monsoon in 37 years.
Accordingly, the production estimates of kharif cereals and food grains also stand revised to 94.41 million tonnes and 98.83 million tonnes, respectively, it added.
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