India: Rice procurement crosses 260 lakh tonnes

New Delhi, Apr 25 (PTI) The government has procured over 260 lakh tonnes of rice in 2010-11 season so far.

"Rice procurement in the kharif Marketing season 2010-11 has crossed the mark of 260 lakh tonnes by April 25, 2011," an official statement said today.

Repeating last year''s feat, procurement of rice from Punjab was the highest so far in the ongoing season, that started in October last year. Punjab has contributed 123 lakh tonnes to the central pool in the current season.

Chhattisgarh, the second largest contributor to the government''s kitty this season has so far contributed 51 lakh tonnes, it said.

Rice procurement in Haryana stood at 24 lakh tonnes.

According to the Agriculture Ministry''s third advance estimates, the country is tipped to produce 941.1 lakh tonnes of rice in

2010-11 crop year (July-June).

India is the world''s second largest producer of rice. PTI BKS