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Question : Comprehension:

Read the following passage and answer the questions given after it.

Notwithstanding logistical challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, India continues to expand its rice export footprint in the African, Asian, and European Union markets, thus having the largest share in the global rice trade. The robust global demand also helped India’s growth in rice exports.

In 2020-21, India’s rice exports (Basmati and Non-Basmati) rose by a huge 87 per cent to 17.72 Million tonnes (MT) from 9.49 MT achieved in 2019-20.

In terms of value realisation, India’s rice exports rose by 38 per cent to USD 8815 million in 2020-21 from USD 6397 million reported in 2019-20. In terms of Rupees, India’s rice export grew by 44 per cent to Rs 65298 crore in 2020-21 from Rs 45379 crore in the previous year. In the first seven months of the current financial year (2021-22), India’s rice exports rose by more than 33 per cent to 11.79 MT from 8.91 MT achieved during April-October, 2020-21. It is anticipated that India’s rice exports in 2021-22 will likely surpass the record feet of 17.72 MT achieved in 2020-21.

In 2020-21, India shipped non-basmati rice to nine countries - Timor-Leste, Puerto Rico, Brazil, Papua New Guinea, Zimbabwe, Burundi, Eswatini, Myanmar, and Nicaragua, where exports were carried out for the first time or earlier the shipment was smaller in volume.

India’s Non-Basmati rice exports were valued at USD 4796 million (Rs 35448 crore) in 2020-21, with Basmati Rice exports a close second at USD 4018 million (Rs 29,849 crore).In terms of volume of Basmati rice exports in 2020-21, the top ten countries – Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, Yemen, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Kuwait, United Kingdom, Qatar, and Oman have a share of close to 80 per cent in total shipments of aromatic long-grained rice from India.

Top ten countries – Nepal, Benin, Bangladesh, Senegal, Togo, Cote D Ivoire, Guinea, Malaysia, Iraq, United Arab Emirates – have a share of 57 per cent in India’s total exports of non-Basmati rice in 2020-21 in terms of volume.

What is the estimate of rice export in the year 2021-22?

Option 1: It will remain the same as the 17.72 MT rice export achieved in 2020-21.

Option 2: It may fall below the 17.72 MT rice export achieved in 2020-21.

Option 3: It will exceed the 17.72 MT rice export achieved in 2020–21.

Option 4: It will not pass beyond the 17.72 MT rice export achieved in 2020-21.