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Context

• While overall crop coverage has risen since last year, that of rice is down.

Reasons behind fall in acreage

• Monsoon, has not been overall been good this time. The country has received 353.7 mm of rainfall during June 1 to July 17, 12.7% more than the “normal” historical average for this period.
• Deficient rainfall in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar is among the reasons.
• A vast paddy-growing belt, from Uttar Pradesh to West Bengal, has had very little rains.
• Are there reasons to worry?
• Adequate stocks and cultivation over a wider area suggest there should be no cause for worry.

So, is there a crisis ahead in rice?

• Not for now. The India Meteorological Department has forecast that the current monsoon trough, is “very likely to shift gradually northwards. That should, hopefully, provide much-needed relief to farmers in the Gangetic plains within the next few days.
• Secondly, paddy cultivation takes place across a wider geography. Also, rice is both a kharif (monsoon) and rabi (winter-spring) season crop. So, the losses in one area or season can potentially be recouped from the other. And with the present stocks, it should be manageable.

Important Links:

Fortified Rice: https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/fortified-rice-42

Parboiled Rice: https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/parboiled-rice

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-is-there-a-crisis-in-rice-8035464/

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