Despite adverse weather conditions earlier this year, the total foodgrain output for 2013-14 is estimated to reach a record level of 264.38 million tonnes as against 257.13 million tonnes achieved the previous year. The promising output would offset the effects of a delayed and deficient southwest monsoon projected for this year.
Of the total output, wheat production is set to reach a record 106.29 million tonnes, which is 2.34 million tonnes higher than that in the previous year. Rice output is pegged at 106.26 million tonnes as against 105.24 million tonnes last year.
According to the Agriculture Ministry’s third advance estimates of crop production (rabi and kharif), released here on Friday, the total output of pulses and coarse cereals is also estimated to be higher than last year.
Pulses production is likely to be 19.57 million tonnes compared to 18 million tonnes last year while the output in toor daal, gram and maize is set to scale a new high. Coarse cereals, set to reach 42.68 million tonnes, are set to be higher by 3.16 million tonnes than last year.
In the case of oilseeds, the total production is estimated to reach 32.41 million tonnes as against the 30.94 million tonnes achieved last year.
