The Hindu Business Line : Kharif foodgrain output estimates lower

ERRATIC monsoons have taken their toll, with the Government on Monday estimating the country's production of kharif foodgrains during 2004-05 at 100.29 million tonnes (mt), against last year's corresponding level of 112. 04 mt.

While output of kharif rice has fallen from 73.92 mt to 71.1 mt, production of kharif coarse cereals and pulses are also expected to be lower at 24.5 mt (31.79 mt) and 4.69 mt (6.33 mt), respectively.

The Union Food and Agriculture Minister, Mr Sharad Pawar, was, however, optimistic that the 10.5 per cent decline in overall kharif foodgrain output would be substantially offset by higher production in the ensuing rabi season.

Addressing presspersons here, he claimed that rabi foodgrain output would touch 125-135 mt, compared to last year's 100.01 mt. As a result, total output during 2004-05 would end up "well above" the previous year's 212.05 mt figure.

Mr Pawar said that the Government will announce the minimum support price (MSP) for rabi crops "within the next week," which would give farmers adequate time to make informed sowing decisions.

Late monsoon rains, he said, had left behind sufficient moisture in the soil, which would considerably enhance rabi production prospects.

The first advance estimates of kharif production for 2004-05, released by the Agriculture Ministry, also show a slippage in oilseeds output to 15.45 mt, from the 17.01 mt recorded in the previous year's kharif season.

Production of kharif groundnut is slated to fall to 6.3 mt, from 7.2 mt during 2003-04. Sugarcane production is expected to dip for the third straight year to 235.45 mt, from 236.1 mt last year.

The only crop that is likely to register higher production this year is cotton, with estimated output of 13.85 million bales of 170 kgs each, as against 13.78 million bales in 2003-04.

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