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Our Bureau

Bumper rice production expected

Hyderabad , Oct. 8

Andhra Pradesh may fall back in overall output this year by about 45 lakh tonnes from initial plans although foodgrain output has witnessed high production of some pulses and cereals.

For instance, the rice production during the kharif season would be one of the highest the State would have experienced, even though the area under cultivation was lower due to the widespread monsoon. Prolonged dry spells and the rain deficit Rayalaseema region have contributed to this anomaly.

The State had projected an overall output of 225 lakh tonnes this year under the kharif and rabi cropping seasons. From preliminary estimates, the Kharif output will be about 100 lakh tonnes and rabi is likely to contribute to 80 lakh tonnes.

The Agriculture Commissioner, Mrs Poonam Malkondiah, said that the State witnessed about 7 per cent deficit rainfall during the monsoon, which was characterised by abnormal rainfall distribution. This meant that the cropped kharif area was lower at 75.05 lakh hectares as against 77.92 hectares normally.

PADDY CULTIVATION

The paddy cultivation was likely to be about 85 lakh tonnes and the average yield per hectare would be higher compared to last year. The production increase was mainly due to record output in the north coastal parts of the State (Nizamabad, Karimnagar, Krishna and Nalgonda districts). However, the deficit rainfall in the Rayalaseema region has meant lower crop yields in maize. This is despite the fact that the cropped area of maize has gone up to 5.11 lakh hectares as against 4.82 lakh hectares. The production is likely to be about 10.06 lakh hectares as against 14.32 lakh hectares.

The pulses production has also witnessed a mixed bag. While horse gram, green gram and black gram will see lower production, this is likely to be significant in pulses as per preliminary estimates.

Referring to groundnut, the Commissioner said as against normal 6 lakh hectares of cultivated area, barely four lakh hectares was now under groundnut cultivation. Even within the cultivated area, the production is likely to be below normal. However, the output from soyabean and castor is likely to be much more than normal.

The State plans to broaden the definition of draught in the draught manual. It also plans to sign up with seed firms for quality seed supply.

Rabi plan

During the Rabi crop, the Government is expecting about 80 lakh tonnes of foodgrain output from an increased area of 41.95 lakh hectares as against the normal area of 32.11 lakh hectares.

As a part of the Government efforts to ensure that the farm output is maximised, the State is advising farmers to opt for farm diversification, varietal shift and take to production of pulses. In addition, the State is also likely to advise farmers to step up groundnut cultivation in Telangana region.

Cotton crop

The Commissioner said that the State is poised for a bumper cotton crop this year and the output is likely to be estimated at about 34 lakh bales as against 24 lakh bales last year, despite lower cropped area.

While the commercial crops have generally witnessed good yields, chilli has been a bit of a dampener in spite of prices ruling firm.

Referring to the sugarcane crop management, she said that from this year, the overall crop management of sugar would now be handled by the agriculture department and not the Sugarcane Commissioner.

DNA LAB

Transgenic crops have become a reality and the State is having to address this while managing the farm sector. As part of this effort, a DNA Fingerprinting and Transgenic Crop Laboratory is being established with an initial investment of Rs 3 crore.

To be commissioned by the State Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, this will be the first such facility handled by a State department with the supported of the centre.

More Stories on : Outlook | Economy | Foodgrains | Rice | Andhra Pradesh

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