January 17, 2008

India forecasts 2008-09 wheat output at 75 million tonnes

India's wheat production in the marketing year that starts April is likely to reach the target of 75 million tonnes brought about by good weather, farm secretary P.K. Mishra said Wednesday.

Mishra said the weather was excellent in December and the recent rain in some wheat-growing areas of northern India has been very good for the crop, thus India is can absolutely meet the targeted production of 75 million tonnes in 2008-09.

The crop condition as of now is better than the same time last year, according to Mishra.

The government estimates India's wheat production in 2007-08 at 74.89 million tonnes.