Karnataka rice prices rise as paddy sowing falls far short

The Story in Brief

Rice prices in Bengaluru have risen by Rs 10 to Rs 15 a kg, with premium varieties costing more, The Hindu reports. A 26-kg bag of Sona Masoori rose from Rs 1,560 in June to Rs 1,950 this month. Traders expect prices to stay firm as poor early monsoon rains, falling reservoir levels and a canal breach delay farming in Raichur and Koppal.

Karnataka recorded 357 mm of rain between June 1 and August 4, against a normal 506 mm. Only 2.02 lakh hectares of paddy had been sown against a kharif target of 10 lakh hectares, according to State Agriculture Department data. Farmers say delayed transplantation will cut yields and grain quality. Paddy production last year stood at about 56.23 lakh tonnes.

The Indian Opinion

Claims that rice prices are rising because of one single cause are too simplistic. The reported shortfall reflects weak rains, delayed canal water and late transplantation, while the war in West Asia may add market pressure. Nor does one season prove a permanent shortage. The immediate test is whether sowing improves and how much paddy Karnataka harvests against its 10 lakh-hectare kharif target.

Source: thehindu.com

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