Wheat output to rise 12.7% to 73.39 mn tonnes
PTI[ SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2004 03:26:05 PM ]

NEW DELHI : India 's wheat output is projected to rise by a significant 12.7 per cent to 73.39 million tonnes this year from the drought-hit 65.1 million tonnes in 2002-03 but will fall short of the targeted 78 million tonnes.

This will be the second highest wheat production ever after the bumper crop of 76.37 million tonnes in 1999-2000 and will be harvested from April one this year.

"The crop is good and has been spurred by suitable weather conditions but our data, as of now, shows that an all time record output is unlikely," Directorate of Economics and Statisics officials told PTI here after preparing the Second Advance Crop (SAC) estimates.

Last week the Food Ministry had estimated the procurement of wheat for the Central Pool this season at 20.2 million tonnes on the basis of a likely output of 75 million tonnes.

However, the SAC estimates of the government indicate that the 75 million tonne mark may not be touched.

Officials reason that "Drought-2002" was the worst in more than 100 years and the farmers have not so far been "fully" overcome its impact on soil and productivity.

Nevertheless there was good soil moisture available at the time of sowing leading to expansion of acreage. Normal area under wheat is around 263.8 lakh hectares and area covered so far is about 232.17 lakh hectares as against 212.24 lakh hectares last year.

In the National Conference on Agriculture tomorrow, states will give further inputs of change in acreage and production, if any, they added.

Officials said widespread rains at the end of December, last year has increased the prospects of wheat production.

Total foodgrains output is expected to be the third highest ever at 208.08 million tonnes this year up from 174.63 million tonnes in the drought-hit 2002-03.

However, the overall production has fallen not only way below the targeted 220 million tonnes but is also lower than the all time record of 212.02 million tonnes in 2001-02, according to the SAC estimates.

Rabi foodgrains output at 99.46 million tonnes has just failed to touch the 100 million mark and is lower than the targeted 108.32 million tonnes though higher than last year's 86.7 million tonnes.

Kharif output is pegged to rise to 108.62 million tonnes from 87.93 million tonnes. Total rice production is expected to be a disappointing 86.11 million tonnes though higher than last year's 72.66 million tonnes.

Kharif rice output is estimated to rise to 76 million tonnes against 63.66 million tonnes last year and the corresponding rise in the rabi rice output is to 10.11 million tonnes from nine million tonnes.

The SAC estimates have been prepared on the basis of the inputs received from the states, remote sensing data and field visits of Central agri-teams. Further changes in data are not ruled out during the national conference beginning tomorrow.