May 8, 2013

India's grain output may reach 255.36 million tonnes

India's grain output in the current crop year is expected to be 255.36 million tonnes, over 5 million tonnes more than previous estimates because of higher production of rice, oilseeds and wheat.

In February, grain production was pegged at 250.14 million tonnes for the 2012-13 crop year that runs from July to June. Because of erratic monsoon rainfall, total production is still lower than the previous year's 259.32 million tonnes.

The government makes several estimates of output. As per the third advance estimate for 2012-13, rice production has been revised to 104.22 million tonnes from 101.80 million tonnes in the earlier estimate.

Wheat output, too, has been pegged higher at 93.62 million tonnes, from 92.30 million tonnes in the second advance estimates released in February this year. Similarly, oilseeds including groundnut, castor, sesamum, niger, mustard, linseed, safflower, sunflower and soy production was higher by over 1.25 million tonnes at 307.24 million tonnes.

Cotton production is estimated at a record 33.8 million bales (7.36 million tonnes), similar to the earlier projection for this year.

In the 2011-12 crop year, rice production stood at 105.31 million tonnes, wheat at 94.88 million tonnes and coarse cereals at 42.04 million tonnes.