The government expects to achieve a record rice production of 102 million tonnes in the July 2011 to June 2012 crop year. Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, Agriculture Secretary P K Basu said, this year, the starting of monsoon rain has been good. Mr Basu expressed confidence that if this kind of rain continues, the country's rice production will touch 102 million tonnes. He said, the progress of southwest monsoon and its spread across the country is perfect till date. Mr Basu hoped that the area under paddy and other Kharif crops will be better than last year.