Food production exceeds target in 2017-18, say second advance estimates

Foodgrains of about 277.5 million tonnes (mt) will be produced in 2017-18 as against the target of 274.5 mt, according to the second advance estimates of crop production released on Tuesday by the department of agriculture, cooperation, and farmers’ welfare.

A record 24 mt of pulses is expected to be produced in 2017-18, and with imports of 5.1 mt in the April-December period, this will be a second consecutive financial year in which there will be an over-supply of pulses against annual consumption of 23 mt.

Rice production will be 96.5 mt against the first advance estimate of 94.5 mt.

Similarly, two nutri-cereals,