India govt targets record rice production of 113 MMT in 2018-19.

The government has set the rice production target for 2018-19 (Jul-Jun) at a record of 113 mln tn, up from an estimated output of 111 mln tn the previous year. The government is targeting kharif output of 98 mln tn in 2018-19, against 96.5 mln tn the previous year. The higher output target follows the India Meteorological Departments forecast of normal monsoon rains this year, at 97% of the long average period. A good monsoon is seen aiding the production of other crops as well. The government has increased the output targets for major kharif crops such as pulses, soybean, cotton, and oilseeds.