The production of rice in the country is expected to slip below last year’s production due to deficient rains, as per reports compiled by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). The country’s overall rice output is estimated to be 100 million tonnes (MT) in the ongoing 2014-15 marketing year (October- September), over 6% lower than the last year’s record production of 106.54 MT.
Rice is grown in two seasons -- kharif (summer) and rabi (winter). The USDA estimates 2014-15 rice production to include 87 MT of kharif rice (versus 91.7 MT last year) and 13 MT of rabi rice (versus 14.9 MT last year).
The report stated that due to good rains in late August and early September the kharif rice planting has improved but the overall productivity is likely to be lower than last year due to delayed planting and prolonged moisture stress during critical stages after transplanting.
Besides, the deficient 2014 monsoon rains in the southern states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, as well as the eastern states of Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal are also likely to affect planting and production prospects of the rabi rice.