Slow monsoon threatens Bangladesh rice crop

DHAKA (Reuters) - The annual monsoon in Bangladesh has missed its early June deadline, raising concern that the country may see a drop in production of rice in the fiscal year beginning on July 1.

"Lack of rain and high temperatures with little moisture in the air signal the monsoon is being delayed this year, and may lead to a poor yield of rice, the country's main staple, in the new fiscal year," a senior agriculture official said.

Bangladesh harvested two bumper rice crops in the 2008-09 fiscal year, ending on June 30, helped by friendly weather and measures taken by the government to ensure cheaper and adequate supplies of fertiliser and diesel to farmers.

The rice yield in the year totalled more than 26 million tonnes, almost enough to feed the country's entire population, barring emergencies caused by cyclones and floods, officials said.

But rice production may fall -- or not achieve the increase authorities hope for -- in the 2009-10 fiscal year unless the monsoon sets in fully over the next couple of weeks.

Otherwise agriculture officials and experts say farmers will find it tough to plant Aman rice, which starts in mid-July.

Aman accounts for nearly a third of Bangladesh's annual rice output. The other main rice variety is Boro, which largely depends on irrigation.

The monsoon lasts in Bangladesh until the end of September, but sees heavy showers in its initial month (June) when average rainfall is nearly 460 millimeters.

But with three weeks of the month gone, the total rainfall this June so far is less than half of the average, says the Bangladesh Meteorological Department.