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Kharif output projected to be lower by 5.6 million tonnes

NEW DELHI: Kharif foodgrains output is projected at about 5.6 million tonnes less than last year’s production due to lower sowing of coarse cereals, pulses, cotton, oilseeds and sugarcane. Some loss is also being attributed to floods in parts of the country.

As per the first advance kharif estimates for 2008-09 released here on Thursday, the total output is expected to be 115.33 million tonnes against the fourth advance estimates of 120.96 million tonnes for 2007-08.

The estimates have been arrived at at the conclusion of a two-day National Conference on Agriculture for Rabi 2008-09, attended by farm experts, officials and agriculture production commissioners from various States.

The conference has put out projections for kharif and issued advisories to States for working towards higher rabi output (wheat).

Releasing the kharif estimates, Union Agriculture Secretary T. Nanda Kumar said rice production this season was likely to be a new record at 83.25 million tonnes. It was estimated at 82.81 million tonnes last year.

The output of jowar, maize, pulses, oilseeds, cotton and sugarcane, however, is estimated to be lower than in last year.

Sowing has been lower due to deficient rain in parts of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh.

Pulses production is estimated at 4.72 million tonnes as against 6.45 million tonnes in the fourth estimates for last year’s kharif.

Oilseeds are estimated at 17.95 million tonnes against 19.84 million tonnes projected in the fourth estimates.

Maize production is estimated at 13.04 million tonnes, compared to 15.15 million tonnes in the last kharif, while coarse cereals output is projected to decline from 31.70 million tonnes to 27.36 million tonnes.

Kharif cotton output is estimated to drop to 23.91 million bales of 170 kg each from 25.81 million bales in the last season.

Sugarcane production is projected to decline to 294.66 million tonnes from 340.56 million tonnes last year largely owing lower cultivation in Maharashtra and Karnataka.

The conference advised the States to go in for timely sowing of wheat and ensure availability of fertilizers and seeds so that the shortfall in kharif could be made up in rabi.

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