Kharif grain output may climb 20%

The first advance estimates for crop production in the current kharif, released by the agriculture ministry today, indicate a sharp recovery over last kharif's drought-battered harvest.

While the output of predominantly rainfed crops of coarse cereals, pulses and oilseeds are projected to register a quantum jump of between 39 and 64 per cent, that of rice (over 50 per cent irrigated) is anticipated to rise by 12.8 per cent.

The total foodgrain output in current kharif (2003-04) is estimated at 108.45 million tonnes, about 17.97 million tonnes or 19.9 per cent higher than 2002-03 kharif's 90.48 million tonnes.

However, at this level, it is over 3 million tonnes short of 111.55 million tonnes harvested in 2001-02 kharif season.

The official output figures released today are based on the information received from states and the inputs from remote sensing satellite. These will be fine-tuned later with the availability of more precise data from the states.

The biggest spurt of 63.6 per cent is in the output of kharif oilseeds -- 15.08 million tonnes in 2003-04 kharif, against 9.22 million tonnes in 2002-03 kharif.

The production of groundnut is projected at 5.93 million tonnes this season, against last season's 3.56 million tonnes, up 66.6 per cent.

Similarly, the output of soyabean, another major kharif oilseed, is forecast at 7.1 million tonnes, against 4.52 million tonnes.

Pulses are also anticipated to register major output gains this year with an overall increase of 41.7 million tonnes.

The main kharif pulse tur (arhar) is predicted to touch 2.75 million-tonne mark, against last season's 2.12 million tonnes, an increase of 29.7 per cent. The other kharif pulses are projected at 2.69 million tonnes, up 56.4 per cent from last season's 1.72 million tonnes.

Rice production is forecast at 75.05 million tonnes this season, against last season's 66.51 million tonnes, an increase of 12.8 million tonnes.