Ranchi, Jan 29 (IANS) For the first time since its creation in 2000, Jharkhand has produced more Kharif food grain than it consumes at a record 55 million tonnes — almost double compared to previous years.

“We expect the Rabi production to be around 10 million tonnes,” an agriculture department official told IANS.

The total consumption of food grain in Jharkhand is around 50 million tonnes. As per record, the state has been producing 24-33 million tonnes of food grain every year.

The reason behind the record production has been good rainfall. After successive droughts, Jharkhand received over 1,400 mm rainfall in 2011.

The government has come out with a minimum support price for paddy. It has opened 556 paddy procurement centres where farmers can sell paddy at Rs.1,080 and Rs.1,110 per quintal depending on quality.