NEW DELHI: The
monsoon has started withdrawing after delivering near-normal rainfall
across the country, setting the stage for a bumper harvest after two
years of scanty rain that hit farm output and distressed villagers.
"This
year the southwest monsoon has overall been good, with most states
getting excess to normal rainfall and only few having deficit rains. It
is good news for farmers. I am sure we will have record production this
year," agriculture minister Radha Mohan said at a press conference on
Thursday.
The season’s total rainfall so far is 5 per cent below
average, which is close to the normal range. The government has set a
target of record grains production of 270.10 million tonnes in 2016-17
crop year to July.
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