Little impact of excess rainfall during monsoon season on kharif crops likely

EXCESS rains during the monsoon season will have a limited impact on kharif crops, particularly paddy production, in the states, so the total agricultural output in the country will remain steady, officials said.

- JITENDRA CHOUBEY @ New Delhi

"I do not anticipate a drastic reduction in paddy production. There may be a decrease in some states, such as Punjab, severely affected by floods," said Sanjiv Chopra, Secretary of the Ministry of Food Distribution and Consumers Affairs.

Punjab is a major contributor to the central paddy pool. "But overall, I do not foresee any issues with paddy production. It will be higher than last year," Chopra added.