The ongoing implementation of the National Food Security Mission (NFSM) in the State is expected to result in substantial increase in the area of summer paddy, and consequently, greater production. The projection for summer paddy extension is 3.75 lakh hectares as against the existing 3.13 lakh hectares (2006-07), an increase of 62,000 hectares, which in turn, is expected to yield an additional production of 1.25 lakh MT. The total area under paddy (including autumn and winter paddy) cultivation in the State was 21,90,247 hectares (2006-07). The yield of summer paddy in the State in 2006-07 was 6,30,162 MT out of the total paddy production (including autumn and winter paddy) of 29,16,014 MT. Revealing this, sources in the State Agriculture department said that the thrust on summer paddy was in consonance with the Mission objective of increasing productivity of rice through area expansion and productivity enhancement in a sustainable manner. Recurring floods and the drought in 2006 had an adverse impact on the State's agricultural productivity, as evident from the decline in rice production in recent years. For augmenting rice production, 53,499 quintals of summer paddy seeds have already been distributed this year. It has also been targeted to distribute 1,473 tractors and 7,169 power tillers. In addition, 60,000 shallow tubewells, 25,000 low-lift pumps and 100 sprinkler irrigation networks are to be installed. So far 13 districts of the State, i.e., Barpeta, Bongaigaon, Darrang, Dhemaji, Lakhimpur, Kokrajhar, Goalpara, Karbi Anglong, Morigaon, Nalbari, Sonitpur, Nagaon and Tinsukia, have been covered under the Mission. In the country, 133 districts have been identified for the purpose. Sources said that while only rice has so far been the targeted crop in the State, efforts were on to bring wheat and pulses