Inclement weather, including erratic and insufficient rainfall and prolonged dry spell, is reported to have affected the production of rice, coarse cereals and pulses. Owing to deficient southwest monsoon last year, India's foodgrain production is expected to drop by 3.2% in the 2014-15 crop year.
According to industry estimates so far, foodgrain production is lower by 8.5 million tonnes in comparison to 265.57 million tonnes last year.
Several parts of the country suffered from deficient rainfall during June – September period. Late arrival of monsoon rain followed by uneven distribution of rain led to marginally lower production of staple crops.
Out of 36 sub-divisions of India, 12 sub-divisions suffered from deficient rainfall during the monsoon season. Both Punjab and Haryana witnessed deficient rainfall of more than 50% during the southwest monsoon last year that resulted in poor performance of kharif crop including wheat and other pulses.
Uttar Pradesh followed closely as west U.P. experienced a shortfall of 56% in rainfall and east U.P. observed deficient rainfall of 42% during the monsoon season. Telangana suffered from 34% deficient rainfall and due to scanty rainfall the sub-division is already heating up besides generating poor output of essential foodgrains.
A deficient rainfall of 14% in Gujarat region also affected rice production during the 2014-15 crop year.
Crop production in 2013-14 and 2014 -15
Food grain output was up by 4% last year due to a favourable southwest monsoon that resulted in record breaking output of rice, wheat and other pulses.
