Rabi crop output for the financial year 2015-16 is expected to be 132.78 million tonnes (mt), which is 1.6 percent more than 130.75 million tonnes produced last year. The estimate was give by Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh while speaking on the sidelines of Rabi Conference in New Delhi.
According to the agriculture minister, good rains have occurred in the last few days which have helped in improving soil moisture, considered very beneficial for Rabi crops or winter crops. He also said that despite rainfall being deficient by 14 percent this year, the Kharif sown area this season is higher than last year. The minister also said “crop coverage under Kharif cereals as on September is 54.94 million hectares, more than the normal for the corresponding week of 2014-15,”
He further added that his government has proposed import duty on pulses so that the Indian farmers receive profitable prices.
Mr. Singh also said that his ministry has set up a growth target of 4 percent for the agriculture and allied sectors this fiscal, which is way beyond 0.2 percent recorded last year.
According to Skymet Meteorology Division in India, the Monsoon season ended with rainfall deficiency of 14 percent due to poor rains in July, August and September. June, July and August are consider considered crucial sowing months for Kharif crops like paddy. The Monsoon had however, made a good start with June recording surplus rainfall of 16 percent.
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