Rains so far good, will help produce 102mn tonnes of rice: Basu

Buoyed by initial progress of the monsoon, the government expects to achieve a record rice production of 102 million tonnes in the 2011-12 crop year, a top official of the Agriculture Ministry said today.

"This year, the starting of monsoon rains has been good. If this kind of rains continues, I am confident that the country's rice production will touch 102 million tonnes," Agriculture Secretary PK Basu said.

The progress of southwest monsoon and its spread across the country is "perfect" till date, he said, adding that he hoped that the area under paddy and other Kharif crops will be better than last year.

However, he said, "But we have to watch rains in July as they are very important for sowing of Kharif crops."

The Agriculture Ministry has fixed a target of 102 million tonnes for the 2011-12 crop year (July-June). Bulk of the paddy is sown in the Kharif season, which has already started from the current month.

Basu further said the sowing of kharif crops was not in full swing and the announcement of hike in the minimum support price (MSP) will help farmers take a considered view on what to plant in the current season.

The government announced a hike of up to 16% in the MSP of Kharif crops. MSP of paddy (common) has been fixed at Rs 1,080 per quintal, while that of cotton (long length staple) at Rs 3,300 per quintal.

Southwest monsoon set in over Kerala on May 29, two days earlier than the forecast made by the India Meteorological Department (IMD).