March 20, 2013

 

 

India's grain output is expected to drop by 3.5% to 250.1 million tonnes in 2012-13 due to anticipated fall in kharif production, following weak monsoon, said economic think tank, the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE).

 

"The food grain production is estimated to fall by 3.5% to 250.1 million tonnes in the financial year of 2013. Irregular monsoon rainfall in 2012 had taken a toll on kharif cultivation and productivity. The decline in production is estimated in food grains, oilseeds, sugarcane and fibres," CMIE noted in its monthly report.

 

Rabi cultivation has picked up pace and is reported to be marginally higher than last year. However, it has failed to compensate for kharif losses. The acreage of rabi crops grew by 0.2% to 630 lakh hectares, as of March 1, 2013.

 

With the exception of rice and wheat, cultivation of major rabi crops grew, compared to last year, CMIE said. Cultivation of wheat declined marginally by 0.1% to 298.4 lakh hectares as of March 1. Rice cultivation during rabi has declined by 11.5% to 28.9 lakh hectares so far.

 

The agriculture ministry's second advance estimates indicate a 2.9% growth in pulses production in the 2013 financial year.

 

"Rabi cultivation of pulses rose marginally by 0.8% to 151.7 lakh hectares. Sowing of gram grew considerably by 5.6% to 95.2 lakh hectares," it said, quoting the agriculture ministry's second advance estimates.

 

Similarly, coarse grains area grew by 5.4% to 63.8 lakh hectares by March 1. However, an estimated fall in kharif output will offset the growth in the rabi season.

 

The overall coarse grains production is likely to dip by 8.5% to 38.5 million tonnes, it said.

 

Among the non-food crops, sugarcane is likely to be the most affected in 2012-13. CMIE said that, according to the second advance estimates, sugarcane output is expected to decline by 7.3% to 334.5 million in 2013.

 

Production of major oilseeds is likely to dip by 1.1% to 29.5 million tonnes this fiscal.

 

According to the agriculture ministry, the production of groundnuts, castor and sesame would fall due to lower kharif cultivation. However, rapeseed and soy production is expected to increase by 11.5% to 7.4 million tonnes.