NEW DELHI, Sept 19 (Askume) – Indian Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said on Thursday that rice production this year will be higher than last year despite heavy rains and floods in some states.
The country is also considering easing restrictions on exports of non-basmati rice as stocks rise in the world’s biggest grain exporter and farmers prepare to harvest a new crop in the coming weeks.
India at various levels of foreign transport in 2023Several restrictions have been imposed to ensure adequate supply for the country’s 1.4 billion population and to control local prices .
The country witnessed less rainfall last year due to the El Niño weather pattern , as nearly half of the country’s agricultural land depends on the June–September monsoon for irrigation.
After weak rains in June, monsoon rains have been abundant this year, with rainfall so far 7.6% above average in the four months.
However, persistent heavy rains have caused flooding in some parts of the country, raising concerns about a failed rice crop this year.
Asked whether heavy rains and floods would harm the upcoming crop, minister Chauhan said: “Despite the floods, our total rice production will be more than last year as rice cultivation has increased this year.”
He said, “The flood problem is not widespread, only some parts of some states are flooded.”
Chouhan said that he had recently visited some flood-affected states.
Increasing rice production will encourage India to allow export of non-basmati white rice.
Before the export ban in 2023, India accounted for more than 40% of global rice exports.
Rice is a staple food for more than 3 billion people and about 90% of this water-intensive crop is grown in Asia.
India on Friday raised the minimum export price of basmati rice, weeks before the new crop hits the market .
