July 20, 2010

India's 2009-10 grain production estimate rises to 218.20 million tonnes

Estimate for grain production were revised by the Indian government at 218.20 million tonnes in the 2009-10 crop year.

The upward revision came even as the estimates for output of rice, wheat and pulses were revised downward for the year.

It continues to be lower than the output of 234.47 million tonnes achieved in 2008-09, even as the Indian grain production in 2009-10 is expected to surpass its earlier estimate. The fourth advance estimates has lowered the output forecast for rice, wheat, pulses and oilseeds but had revised upwards the projection for coarse cereals.

Grains are grown in both the rabi (winter) and kharif (summer) seasons. Though the wheat output is seen marginally down from the earlier estimate at 80.71 million tonnes, it is still higher than the record output of 80.68 million tonnes in the previous year.

Similarly, oilseed production for 2009-10 is likely to be 23.94 million tonnes, lower than the earlier projection of 25.41 million tonnes. This is also lower than the previous year's actual production of 27.72 million tonnes.