Rice production may surpass last year level: Pawar

Rice production in India is likely to be higher in the 2011-12 crop year as compared to 95.32 million tonne in the last year, Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar said today.

"We will be able to produce more rice than last year," Pawar told reporters here.

Unlike last year, the minister said rice producing states of the country -- Bihar, Chattisgarh and Uttar Pradesh -- have received good rainfall and this will boost paddy yields.

Area under paddy cultivation increased by 6% to 26.03 million hectares up till August 5 this year as against 24.47 million hectares in the year-ago period. Kharif Paddy is sown during June-July and harvested by September-October.

The government has set a target of 102 million tonne of rice production in the 2011-12 crop year (July-June). The rice is mainly grown in the Kharif season (summer).

When asked about sugar exports, Pawar said, "The Empowered Group of Ministers on food will soon take a decision on this."

In view of higher sugar production, the government has allowed export of one million tonne of sugar under the Open General Licence Scheme in two tranches.

The country's sugar production is estimated to 24.2 million tonne in the 2010-11 season (September-October), while demand is pegged at 21-21.5 million tonne.