India set to achieve record foodgrain production for second consecutive year

03 Feb 2012 Evaluate

India is set to surpass its targets for food grain production this year, with production of wheat, rice, and cotton likely to be at record levels. Wheat will achieve record levels for the fourth year in a row. Good weather conditions and higher acreage are likely to be the contributing factors. Agriculture Minister, Sharad Pawar expressed optimism that the government will achieve the targeted foodgrain production of record 245 million tonnes for 2011-12 crop year and the country will harvest an all-time high wheat output.

According to the second advance crop estimate, released by the Agriculture Ministry for the year for 2011-12, India is likely to produce 250.42 million tonnes of foodgrains during 2011-12 compared to 244.77 million tonnes last year (foodgrain production comprises of wheat, rice, coarse cereals and pulses). This is more than the target of 245 million tonnes fixed for the year.

Wheat production is expected to reach 88.31 million tonnes as compared to the record high of 86.87 million tonnes last year and cotton 34.09 million bales (of 170 kg. each) as compared to 33 million bales last year. Total production of rice in the country is estimated at 102.75 million tonnes as compared to 95.98 million tonnes last year. All three are likely to achieve record production levels.

The production of pulses and oilseeds is estimated at 17.28 million tonnes and 30.53 million tonnes respectively. The estimated production of sugarcane stands at 347.87 million tonnes, which is higher by 5.09 million tonnes as compared to last year. This is the second-straight year of a record foodgrains production, boosting the government's plan for implementing the Food Security Bill that aims to provide cheaper grains to the poor.

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