August 17, 2012

India expects better grain output in 2012-13

As it faces its second drought in just four years, India expects food grain output in the 2012-13 (July-June) crop year to be better than 2009-10.

"We are expecting better food grain production this year as the drought area is less this year compared to 2009/10 and as we are better prepared. We have already put in place contingency plan for drought-hit areas," Minister of State for Agriculture Harish Rawat said on Thursday (Aug 16).

The country previously witnessed drought in 2009 when it had to import sugar, pushing global prices to 30-year highs.

India's monsoon rains were 1% below average in the week to August 8, the weather office said last week, as drought continues to hit the west of the major producer and consumer of grains, rice and sugar this season.