Government today said rice production in the country may be higher due to better rainfall in the kharif producing states of Bihar, Chattisgarh and Uttar Pradesh. Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar gave the information in New Delhi. The country had produced 95.32 million tonnes of rice last year. The government has set a target of 102 million tonnes of rice production this year. To a question on whether the government will allow more sugar exports, Mr Pawar said, The Empowered Group of Ministers on food will soon take a decision on this. In the wake of higher sugar production, the government has allowed export of one million tonne of sugar under the Open General Licence Scheme. The country's sugar production is estimated to be 24.2 million tonnes this year.