India may not need to import rice with increase in output

The government, after raising the Kharif rice production estimate by two million tonnes, today said the country may not need to import the staple food grain as a higher yield is likely after the late rains in August and September.

"Rice imports may not happen as the production situation has improved," Agriculture Secretary T Nanda Kumar said on the sidelines of a CII function.

The empowered group of ministers (eGoM) on food earlier had decided that there would be no rice import for now as there is sufficient availability.

Asked if paddy procurement would improve, Kumar said, "it will be better than expected."

The government yesterday had revised upward its rice output forecast by 2.2 million tonnes to 71.65 MT for 2009-10 Kharif season due to a rise in area and expectation of higher yield following late rains in August and September.

In the first advance estimates for 2009-10 season, the government had pegged Kharif rice output at 69.45 million tonnes, lower by over 15 million tonnes from last Kharif.

Kharif production has been hit due to twin impact of drought and floods in several parts of the country.

The revised estimates came after reviewing crop conditions, especially after rains during August-September in states like Uttar Pradesh.

It was found that paddy acreage and yield in UP has risen due to late rains. Summer paddy is usually sown during June and July and the crop is harvested from October.