Rice output may hit record high as farmers expand area after vigorous rains

India has received 14% higher than average rain since the monsoon season began on June 1

Indian farmers have planted 12 million hectares with summer-sown rice, preliminary farm ministry data for this year showed, up 25% from last year as robust monsoon rains encouraged the expansion of acreage.

Buoyed by the plentiful rains, rice farmers are likely to harvest a record crop and step up overseas sales from the world's biggest exporter of the grain.

Farmers start planting rice, corn, cotton, soybeans, sugarcane and peanuts among other crops from June 1, when monsoon rains reach India. Nearly half of India's farmland lacks irrigation and planting usually lasts through July.

The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare issued preliminary figures