NEW DELHI: Rice production of the country may cross 100 million tonnes in the 2010-11 crop year provided there is normal monsoon, Planning Commission member, Mr Abhijit Sen, said on Wednesday. "Rice output is likely to be over 100 million tonnes this year if Met department's monsoon forecast comes true," Mr Sen told reporters on the sidelines of a function. If production crosses 100 million tonnes, it will be a new record surpassing the earlier high of 99.18 million tonnes in 2008-09 crop year (July-June).

  Rice production declined to 89.31 million tonnes in 2009-10 crop year owing to severe drought, which hit almost half of the country.

Sharing his views on allowing wheat and rice export Sen said, "India can export wheat next year but no subsidies should be provided. If rice export is allowed then it should be with export tax on the commodity."

The government had banned wheat export in early 2007 and rice export in April 2008 to increase domestic supplies and curb prices.

According to official estimates, the country has harvested a record wheat crop of 80.98 million tonnes in 2009-10 crop year (April-June) against 80.68 million tonnes in the previous year. Though there is a ban on wheat and non basmati rice export, the government has allowed the shipments in small quantities to neighbouring countries and African nations on diplomatic grounds.

Delivering the 17th Dr B P Pal Memorial lecture today, Mr Sen pointed out that there is a huge gap in technology reaching agricultural fields. He suggested the government research body Indian Council of Agricultural Research to identify villages to prove the success of their technology.

"Gap between lab and fields is a great worry for us. If agriculture needs to keep moving, we must focus on technology that not only increases yields but also farmers income," he said.

Mr Sen also observed the country's agriculture is running on subsidies, which is problematic in the long run as it can "mess up with incentives". - PTI