Rice output to be lower by 10 mn tn in kharif season: Pawar

NEW DELHI: Rice production during the kharif season this year may decline by about 10 million tonnes due to failed monsoon in the country, Food and Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar said today.

"This shortfall in monsoon may result in shortfall in area coverage of paddy by about 5.7 million hectares compared to last year and production of rice may be reduced by 10 million tonnes," Pawar said while addressing state food ministers here.

The country produced nearly 100 million tonnes of rice in both rabi and kharif seasons in 2008-09.

"Some shortfall in production of oilseeds and sugarcane is also expected," Pawar added.

Due to deficient monsoon in many states, there are concerns over production of foodgrain in kharif 2009-10. The cumulative seasonal rainfall for the country this year has been about 29 per cent below the long period average, he said.