The Hindu : 20 p.c. rise in kharif output likely

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Oct 02, 2003

Business

Business

20 p.c. rise in kharif output likely

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI OCT. 1. The total kharif foodgrains production this year is estimated at 108.45 million tonnes, which is 18 million tonnes higher than last year, registering an increase of 20 per cent. Of this, rice production in 2003-04 is expected to reach 75.05 million tonnes, marking a rise of 8.54 million tonnes .The output of coarse cereals is estimated at 27.96 million tonnes, up 7.83 million tonnes. The kharif pulses output is expected to reach 5.44 million tonnes.

Sugarcane output, however, is likely to register a decline of 17.2 million tonnes to 261.4 million tonnes from last year's level of 278.6 million tonnes. The likely shortfall is due to the dip in output in Maharashtra, which is estimated to be hardly at half the normal production of about 50 million tonnes this year. The production of jute and mesta is also likely to register a marginal decline. Jute and mesta are estimated at 10.75 million bales of 180 kg each which is lesser than last year's 10.78 million bales.

In commercial crops, oilseeds production is estimated at 15.08 million tones showing an increase of 63.6 per cent over last year. Soyabean production is estimated at 7.10 million tonnes, whereas groundnut production is estimated 5.93 million tones this year. As per the estimates, production of cotton is likely to jump by 40 per cent over last year. It is estimated at 13.12 million bales of 170 kg each as compared to 9.31 million bales last year.

The first advance estimates of kharif production figures were disclosed at the two-day National Conference on Agriculture for Rabi Campaign 2003-04, chaired by the Agriculture Secretary, R. C. A. Jain, and attended by State Agriculture Secretaries and Horticulture Commissioners. The foodgrain production estimates are based on the feedback given by the States, while the information base obtained from the Space Application Centre and Agriculture Ministry's Crop Weather Watch Group.

The conference discussed in detail the strategies for the forthcoming rabi season, including cropping plan and availability of key inputs, for different crops in different States.

During group discussions, drought-hit States such as Karnataka, Kerala, and Maharashtra raised the problems arising from deficient rainfall, which have implications for the rabi/summer crops in their respective States. The conference, therefore, underscored the need for evolving appropriate strategy to cope with the problems likely to be encountered in the near future.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Business