With an average Southwest monsoon and decent winter, the production of oilseeds and food grains across the country is likely to break the all-time high record.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, the second advance estimates of crop production for this year is measured at 271.98mt (million tonnes). The previous all-time high was way back in 2013-14 when the total output of crop production was measured at 265.04mt.
Almost every sort of crops was harvested by the Indian farmers in record numbers. Rice at 108.86mt, wheat at 96.64mt, coarse cereals 44.34mt led by maize 26.15mt and pulses were recorded at 22.14mt. Along with food grains, oil seeds are expected to cross record numbers. According to estimates, a record figure of 33.60mt is forecasted for 2016-17; the preceding two years’ low was at 25.25mt and 27.51mt.
Ministry of Agriculture has projected that cotton production has increased to 325.07 lakh bales (170kgs of each) in 2016-17 from 300.05 lakh bales. In 2015-16 around 348.05 lakh bales and in 2014-15, 359.02 lakh were produced.
One thing to keep in mind is that these numbers are estimates and the actual picture will be on display in April-May when the standing Rabi crop production starts hitting the markets.
Image Credit: Reuters
Published in IndianExpress
