March 21, 2007

India's 2006/07 wheat production may reach 72.5 million tonnes
 

The government of India said the continuous rains in February and early March would not adversely affect wheat production which may reach the estimated production of 72.5 million tonnes in 2006/2007.

Agriculture Secretary P K Mishra has expressed confidence the estimate could be achieved and surpassed the 69.35 million tonnes output last year.

Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar had also said the wheat production could even reach to 74 million tonnes.

The minister had said though about 60,000 hectares have been affected in 2-3 wheat growing states, this would not affect the government's overall production estimates.

Besides production, the government is also confident of achieving the wheat procurement target of 150 lakh tonne of wheat procurement this year, according to food and public distribution minister Akhilesh Prasad Singh.

Singh said India was able to procure only 92.26 lakh tonne last year against the targeted 162.07 lakh tonne, which forced the government to import wheat for meeting the requirements under public distribution system and other social measures.

The government has imported about 54 lakh tonnes of the contracted 55 lakh tonnes of wheat since February last year.