September 15, 2011

 India's 2011/12 summer-sown grains harvest to increase

India's summer-sown grain harvest in the new season beginning in July this year is forecasted to increase by 8% to hit a record 87.10 million tonnes, thus, raising prospects of further grain exports, the farm ministry said on Wednesday (Sep 14).

Rice is India's main summer-sown grain, 80% of which grows during this season. Harvest starts from October. Wheat is grown only once a year and other summer-sown grains include coarse cereals.

Output of summer-planted grain, including coarse cereals, is expected at 123.88 million tonnes, Farm Minister told a conference releasing the first of the four forecasts for 2011/12, up from 120.2 million tonnes in 2010/11.

"By and large, monsoon rains have been very good in the country. Not only that, water levels in reservoirs are very good," Farm Minister said.

"All this has helped raise production. There are indications that the winter crop will also be very good."

The farm ministry will release three more forecasts for the 2011/12 crop year at regular intervals as plantings progress and official agencies gather more data. Indian farmers plant summer-sown crops during the rainy months of June and July.

Apart from rice, the food ministry last week said unrestricted exports of two million tonnes of wheat had also been allowed, as the country's stocks of grain reached unmanageable levels.

The Indian government buys grains from farmers to run a number of welfare programmes that aim to ensure cheaper food for the poor and to meet any emergencies. Government purchases also help protect farmers from distress sales.