The government estimates that Kharif rice production in India for the 2024-25 season could reach approximately 12 crore tonnes (1199.30 lakh tonnes), reflecting a 6% increase over the previous season's production of 1132.50 lakh tonnes.

This expected boost in production is attributed to an increase in the area under paddy cultivation, which has grown by 9 lakh hectares to a record 413.50 lakh hectares, driven by favorable southwest monsoon rainfall.

Incentives for farmers, including rising rice prices, have further motivated the expansion of paddy cultivation. Despite several policy measures aimed at controlling rice prices, such as banning the export of non-basmati white rice, imposing a 20% export duty on sella rice,

and selling rice under the Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS) at a subsidized price of Rs 29 per kg, the prices have stabilized rather than decreased. However, these actions have prevented an unchecked rise in rice prices.

Now, with an anticipated bumper harvest, the government has allowed the duty-free export of all whole varieties of rice,

and the domestic market remains well-supplied, with adequate stock held by the government to ensure stability in availability and prices.