The Hindu : Front Page : Foodgrain output likely to fall this year

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Saturday, Jul 09, 2005

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Foodgrain output likely to fall this year

Gargi Parsai

Over 20 million tonnes short of target because of drop in kharif output though rabi yield is up

NEW DELHI: : Foodgrain production in the country this year is estimated to decline by 9.85 million tonnes compared to last year's and is 20.29 million tonnes short of the target. The fourth advance estimates now available put the totaloutput at 204.61 million tonnes against last year's figure of 213.46 million tonnes. The shortfall is mainly on account of an 11.6 per cent dip in the kharif output due to drought in parts of the country, though rabi is up by 4.8 per cent.

The total foodgrain output includes 103.32 million tonnes of kharif (rice) and 101.29 million tonnes of rabi (wheat).

The Union Ministry of Agriculture here released the estimates on Friday.

This year there has been a 3.3 per cent decline in rice output— 85.31 million tonnes against 88.28 million tonnes last year — mainly because of the shortfall in Tamil Nadu. Wheat production is likely to be 72 million tonnes, against 72.1 million tonnes last year. Initial estimates were 74 million tonnes.

Coarse cereals are expected to amount to 33.92 million tonnes compared to 38.12 million tonnes last year. Pulses production is likely to be 13.38 million tonnes against 14.94 million tonnes last year. However, the production of oilseeds has registered an increase at 261.03 lakh tonnes, against 252.90 lakh tonnes last year.

Cotton output this year is expected to be 170.02 lakh bales of 170 kg each against the 138.66 bales last year. Jute and mesta are at 104.89 lakh bales of 180 kg each compared to 112.27 bales last year. Sugarcane output is expected to be 2323.18 lakh tonnes compared to 2373.08 lakh tonnes last year.

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