Higher rice, pulse yields lift farm output to record 277.5 mt

Our Bureau Record production of rice, pulses and coarse cereals coming in the wake of a good monsoon could push up total food crop output this year to a new high of 277.5 million tonnes (mt), according to the Second Advance Estimates of production of major crops released by the farm ministry on Tuesday.

In comparison, the total foodgrain output last year was 275 mt, which itself was a record then.

Rice output rises

For the first time, rice production breached the 111 mt mark – which was about 2.5 mt more than the target of 108.5 mt set for the year.

Much of the increase is expected to come from the rabi season, which has seen a substantial increase in area under rice cultivation. Last year, the total rice production was 109.7 mt.

Pulses, wheat gain

Similarly, pulse production would surpass the target by a staggering 1 mt this year to touch 23.95 mt, making it the second consecutive year of bountiful production. Total pulses output last year 23.13 mt, according to the estimates.

Wheat output, on other hand, is estimated to go up marginally to 96.48 mt (96.30 mt). The production of coarse cereals too is projected to increase by 1.65 million tonnes to 45.42 mt mainly on a boost in maize yield.

Oilseeds fail

However, a major setback is expected on oilseeds segment, which is projected to fall below 30 mt, as compared to 31.28 mt last year. The target for the year was set at 35.5 mt.

Much of the shortfall in oilseeds was due to a slump in the production of soyabean and rapeseed/mustard which came down drastically to 11.4 mt from 13.12 mt (2016-17) and to 7.54 mt from 7.92 mt respectively.

Groundnut output, on the other hand, is estimated to go up to 8.22 mt from 7.5 mt last year.

Cash crops

Sugarcane output, as expected, would go up to 353.2 mt (306 mt). Similarly, cotton production is projected to be at 33.9 million bales of 170 kg, which is 4 per cent more than last year, the data showed.

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