The Maharashtra’s overall production of food grains has dropped 15%, while the output of pulses slipped 44% in 2017-18 kharif season as compared to the previous year. The decline in production was mainly due to long dry spell and uneven rainfall between July and September. Cotton production fell by a steep 39% mainly due to pest attack by the pink bollworm, which devastated the crop across regions. Besides, sugarcane has contributed to a bumper nationwide production with rise of 34% over the previous year.
As per the data, the production of rice declined by as much as 22% over the previous year. In 2016-17, the state saw a bumper production of tur dal, pushing up pulse production figures. In 2017-18, tur production in the kharif season declined by 49% and moong production by 37% compared to the previous year. Within kharif oilseeds, soya bean production dipped by 15% and groundnut by 11%. Sesamum (sesame is the best-known member of the genus) declined by 48%.
Further, in the rabi season (winter crop), cereal production saw a 30% decline in 2017-18 compared to the previous year, while the production of pulses dropped by 10%. The state has seen a dramatic rise in sugarcane production, reaching a historic record of over 107 lakh tons. Nationally too, the country has seen a major rise in sugar production. But this has depressed prices and led to sugar mills not being able to clear farmers’ dues.