Total foodgrain production during 2015-16, estimated at 253.16 million tonnes (mt), has been higher by 1.14 mt over the production of 252.02 mt during 2014-15. This is despite a setback in Kharif crops due to deficient monsoon and Rabi crops due to shortage of water in reservoirs and a relatively warmer winter.

However, the total production of rice during 2015-16 is estimated lower at 103.61 mt – down from 105.48 mt during 2014-15, while oilseeds output has been estimated to decline by 1.17 mt over last year’s production of 26.34 mt, according to the 2nd Advance Estimates for 2015-16 released by the Agriculture Ministry here on Monday.

Coarse cereal production is also estimated to be lower at 38.40 mt (42.86 mt).

Sugarcane production is also estimated to be lower by 15.95 mt at 346.39 mt compared with the same period last year, while cotton production is estimated at 30.69 million bales (of 170 kg each) against 34.81 million bales during 2014-15. Jute production is estimated at 9.89 million bales (of 180 kg each), marginally lower than 10.62 million bales produced during 2014-15.

However, wheat production is estimated higher at 93.82 mt (86.53 mt). This is also higher by 2.29 mt than its five-year average production, the Ministry said.

“Total pulses production of 17.33 mt during 2015-16 is marginally higher than the previous year’s production of 17.15 mt,” the Ministry said.

comment COMMENT NOW