February 8, 2008

India 2007-08 wheat output seen at 74.81 million tonnes
 

India's wheat crop in the year to June this year is expected to fall by 1 million tonnes to 74.81 million tonnes, the government said Thursday (February 7) in its first official estimate of the new wheat crop.

P.K. Mishra, the federal farm secretary, offered no reason for the fall in output but said the estimate could be revised higher if the weather remains favourable.

"This is a conservative estimate and weather conditions during end-February and beginning of March will be crucial," he said.

The government estimated rice production during the period at 94.08 million tonnes, up from 93.35 million tonnes a year ago. It estimated oilseed output at 27.16 million tonnes, up from 24.29 million tonnes.