In what should bring some relief to the government in its battle against rising food prices, the agriculture ministry on Wednesday said the country’s foodgrain production during the current kharif season is expected to be 123.88 million tonnes, as against 120.2 mt last year.
Overall, foodgrain production is projected to increase to 123.88 million tonnes against 120.20 million tonnes of last year due to bumper rice harvest, which should give some respite to the government in its fight against rising food inflation. Officials said rice output is expected to rise significantly because of higher acreage and favourable weather.
This will come on the back of record kharif rice output, pegged at 87.1 mt in 2011-2012, as against 80.65 mt last year. Kharif (summer) crops are usually sown with the arrival of monsoon in June and harvested from mid-September. The country is aiming to produce a record 102 mt of rice in the 2011-12 crop year (kharif and rabi), higher than the 95.32 mt produced in 2010-11.
There was a record rice production of 84.91 mt in the 2008-09 kharif season, but it declined after that.
Releasing the first advance estimate for the 2011-2012 crop marketing season that started in July, agriculture minister Sharad Pawar said, “Looking at our performance in recent times, we believe the country can achieve all-time high foodgrain production of 245 million tonnes in 2011-12, including rabi and kharif. ”
Oilseed production during the 2011-2012 crop year is estimated at 20.89 mt, up from 20.25 mt last year, the official statement said. Production of groundnut is estimated to be 5.62 mt as against 5.65 mt last year. Soybean output is estimated to be 12.57 mt as against 12.65 mt last year.
In cash crops, production of sugarcane is estimated at 342.2 mt, up from 339.16 mt last year, while that of cotton is estimated to rise to 36.1 million bales as against 33.42 million bales last year (1 bale=170 kg).
