Rice imports up Rs 11 billion this year despite national push for self-sufficiency

As the government marks the 22nd National Rice Day on Asar 15 (June 29) today with the slogan ‘Intensification in Rice Cultivation: Food Security and Self-Reliance’, official data paints a contrasting picture—rice and paddy imports in the 11 months of the current Fiscal Year (FY) have already neared Rs 39 billion.