West Bengal has set a target of 11.5 mln tn kharif rice production in 2018-19 (Jul-Jun), up from 11.0 mln tn produced in the previous year. Kharif rice output is seen rising as the state is aiming higher acreage and monsoon is forecast to be normal. Also, flash floods in some parts of West Bengal led to lower paddy crop last year. India Meteorological Department has forecast the country’s southwest monsoon to be normal at 97% of the long period average in 2018. West Bengal, which is among the top rice producing state of India, is aiming to increase area under paddy crop to 4.20 mln ha in the upcoming kharif season from 4.15 mln ha.