India, the world's second-largest grower of rice and wheat, expects to produce between 240 million and 242 million tons of foodgrains in 2011-12, Mr. Basu said in an interview. The weather office Tuesday predicted rainfall in 2011 would be 98% of a 50-year average, which is considered normal. The June-September monsoon is crucial as more than 60% of farmland is rain-fed and crops such as rice, sugarcane and cotton are sown on its arrival. "The indication is that there is no cause for worry about the monsoon. So we are confident of achieving the desired production target in 2011-12," Mr. Basu said.
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