However, he conceded that a reduction of over 6 million hectares of land under paddy cultivation was a matter of concern. He added that measures would be taken to tackle this.

But the agriculture minister said there was no need to push the panic button for the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted '101 percent rain in August' as against 82 percent in July.

Pawar said a view would be taken of the situation after August and future course of action would be decided.

The minister said the country was stocked up with wheat and rice to last 13 months and there was not much to worry.

There was also a back-up of 15 lakh tonnes seeds for alternative cropping and all the states had been earmarked funds for them under the National Agricultural Development Schemes.