Despite floods in Assam, Bihar and drought in Tamil Nadu and southern Karnataka, the foodgrain production has registered a record 275.68 million tonnes in the crop year 2016-17, ending in June in the country.
According to a fourth estimate, released by the Ministry of Agriculture on Wednesday, record output has been achieved in rice, wheat, coarse cereals and pulses during the same period. Based on the feedback of States, the Ministry has revised the overall foodgrain output upward to 275.68 million tonnes in its fourth estimate assessed for 2016-17 from its earlier projection of 273.38 million tonnes for the same period. Meanwhile sugarcane production is estimated to be lower by 11.98 percent at 306.72 million tonnes in 2016-17 as against 348.45 million tonnes last year.
Foodgrain production had declined to 251.57 million tonnes in 2015-16 crop year (July-June). The previous record of 265.04 million tonnes was achieved in 2013-14 crop year. About 2.3 million tonnes of increase in foodgrain output has mainly come from record production in rice, wheat, coarse cereals and pulses. Foodgrain basket comprise of rice, wheat, coarse cereals and pulses. These are grown in Kharif (summer) and Rabi (winter) season and already been harvested.
The Government releases four estimates before releasing the final one at different stages of harvesting. At present, farmers are sowing the new crop, the first estimate of which will be released by year-end. As per the data, rice output is estimated to be a record 110.15 million tonnes in 2016-17 as against 104.41 million tonnes in the previous year. Previous record was 106.65 million tonnes in 2013-14. Wheat output is projected to have been a record 98.38 million tonnes in 2016-17 as against 92.29 million tonnes last year. The previous high was 95.85 million tonnes in 2013-14. Coarse cereals output is pegged at a record 44.19 million tonnes in 2016-17 against 38.52 million tonnes in 2015-16, while the previous record of 43.39 million tonnes was in 2013 -14.
Among coarse cereals, maize output is record 26.26 million tonne in 2016-17. Pulses production is also projected to be a record 22.95 million tonnes in 2016-17 as against 16.35 million tonnes last year, but the previous high stood at 19.25 million tonnes in 2013-14. In pulses, tur and urad output is estimated to a record 4.78 million tonnes and 2.80 million tonnes, respectively, in 2016-17 crop year on account of better support price. Oilseeds output increased to 32.10 million tonnes in 2016 -17 from 25.25 million tonnes last year.
Among cash crops, the Ministry said, “Despite lower area coverage during 2016-17, higher productivity of cotton has resulted into higher production of 33.09 million bales (of 170 kg each), as compared to 30.01 million bales during 2015-16.” Jute/mesta output is projected to be higher marginally at 10.60 million
bales (of 180 kg each) as against 10.52 million bales in the said period.