March 24, 2005

India's wheat output forecast reduced by 1 million tonnes

India's agriculture secretary Radha Singh reduced the production estimate of wheat from 76 million tonnes to 74.05 million tonnes after considering the recent rain and hailstorm.

She added that the recent spells of rain and hail storm in the parts of Rajesthan, Punjab and Uttarpradesh have affected the prospect of wheat output, but it is still expected to rise 2.69 percent from 72.11 to 73.03 million tonnes.