India's rice output is projected to decline by 5% due to uneven rains in key rice-producing states like West Bengal, Odisha, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, eastern Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar. The ICAR-National Rice Research Institute has suggested that farmers in these states opt for short-duration rice crops to mitigate the impact of the erratic monsoon. The deficient rainfall has affected the sowing and growth of paddy crops, raising concerns about rice production. Additionally, global rice prices are expected to rise due to an estimated 7 million-tonne deficit in global rice production in FY24, driven by El Nino and unfavorable weather conditions.