Agri ministry estimates bumper foodgrain output

Third advance estimate of 2013-14 says grain production to rise 2.8%

India's total foodgrain production in the 2013-14 crop marketing season that ends in June is expected to be around 264 million tonnes, almost 2.8 per cent more than 2012-13, some relief to the next government at a time when monsoon rains are expected to be below-normal this year.

According to the third advance estimate of 2013-14 agriculture production, released by the Department of Agriculture on Friday, the output of wheat, the main crop grown during the rabi season, is expected to be around 96 million tonnes, around 2.34 million tonnes more than last year.

In the second advance estimate released in February, total foodgrain production was pegged at 263 million tonnes.

India's southwest monsoon in 2014 is expected to be below normal, the India Meteorological Department had said. Low rains could force the government to push more foodgrain through the open market to control prices, and a higher output would help.

As of May 1, the government had 67 million tonnes of foodgrain stock, of which wheat was around 34 million tonnes. "Rice production is expected at a record 106 million tonnes," an official statement released on Friday said.

In 2012-13, India produced around 105 million tonnes of rice. The data showed total pulses production in 2013-14 was expected to be around 20 million tonnes, up from 18 million tonnes last year, while total oilseeds production is estimated to be around 32 million tonnes, up from 31 million tonnes in 2012-13.

Of the rabi crops, mustard seed production is expected to be around 8 million tonnes, almost 2.5 per cent less than last year. Cotton production stood at 37 million bales in 2013-14, up from 34 million bales last year. (1 bale=170 kg). Sugarcane output stood at 348 million tonnes, up from 341 million tonnes last year.