NEW DELHI: Foodgrains production is expected to be higher by 5.01 per cent at 208.30 million tonnes in 2005-06 against 198.36 million tonnes the previous year due to better performance on the rice and oilseeds fronts.

However, wheat output, which was 68.64 million tonnes in 2004-05, will only be marginally higher at 69.48 million tonnes in 2005-06, as per the fourth advance estimates released by the Union Agriculture Ministry on Monday. The third estimates for the year had put wheat output at 71.54 million tonnes, revised from 73.06 million tonnes in the second advance estimates. The final figures would be announced around September.

Prolonged delay in the monsoon after initial sowing and drought in parts of central and west India and variations in temperature close to harvest affected output. Rabi wheat performance has been lower than what was estimated. Market intelligence had foreseen this as well as the consequent decision to import wheat.

The foodgrains output in 2004-05 also showed a decline of 6.25 million tonnes between the fourth advance estimates and the final figure of 198.36 million tonnes. Although overall foodgrains output in 2005-06 fell short of the target of 215 million, rice output is estimated to be higher at 69.48 million tonnes against 68.64 million tonnes last year. Of the total foodgrains output at an estimated 208.30 million tonnes, that of kharif is expected to be 109.70 million tonnes and rabi's 98.60 million tonnes in 2005-06. Total oilseeds production in 2005-06 is likely to be 277.31 lakh tonnes compared to 243.54 lakh tonnes last year. There is the likelihood of a remarkable improvement in the production of groundnut, castorseed, rapeseed and mustard, sunflower and soybean over the previous year.

Coarse cereals are expected to be slightly higher at 34.67 million tonnes in 2005-06 compared to 33.46 million tonnes in the previous year. The pulses production is likely to be marginally lower at 13.11 million tonnes in 2005-06 against 13.13 million tonnes in 2004-05. Both coarse cereals and pulses are short of target. Cotton output is expected to more than double in 2005-06 at 195.72 lakh bales of 170 kg each against 93.99 lakh bales in 2004-05.

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