State-run agencies have procured 186.7 lakh tonnes of rice in the kharif marketing season 2011-12 (October-September) till today, up nearly 13 per cent over that in the same period last year.
A total of 1,86,77,702 tonnes rice have been procured by various government agencies by January 13, 2012, an official statement said here today.
During the corresponding period previous year, the procurement was 1,62,73,699 tonne.
Giving details, the statement said Chhatisgarh procured 27,37,930 tonnes followed by Andhra Pradesh 22,91,347 tonnes and Haryana 19,66,167 tonnes.
Paddy production in India is expected to rise 8 per cent to 1,545 lakh tonnes in 2011-12 from 1,430 lakh tonnes in the year-ago period.
India produced 953.2 lakh tonnes of rice in 2010-11 crop year (July-June) and the government has set a target of producing 1,020 lakh tonnes in 2011-12, according to the Agriculture Ministry.