India’s foodgrain production could rise by over 5 per cent to nearly 133 million tonnes (mt) in the coming rabi season this year despite deficit monsoon, Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh said on Tuesday.
According to the fourth advance estimate released last month by the government, total foodgrain production from rabi (winter) crops in 2014-15 crop year was estimated at 126.38 mt.
However, the Centre had set a target of 130.75 mt of foodgrain production for the 2014-15 crop year (July-June). The Minister said the government is expecting foodgrain output in the rabi season this year to be higher than the last year’s production despite less rainfall.
“...in last one week or so, there has been a good rainfall in the rain deficit states, so we have set an ambitious target of 132.78 mt (of foodgrain production) in rabi season this year,” Singh said while addressing the rabi conference organised by the Union Agriculture Ministry.
The Minister also informed that so far the monsoon deficit stands at 14 per cent. Sowing of rabi crops starts in the first week of October and its harvesting begins in last week of March. Wheat is the main rabi crop of India.
Wheat production is estimated to have declined to 88.94 MT in 2014-15 crop year as against a record 95.85 mt achieved in the previous season.
The government last week projected the country’s total foodgrain production to drop by 1.78 per cent to 124.05 mt in the 2015-16 <g data-gr-id="31">kharif</g> (summer) season due to poor monsoon and <g data-gr-id="38">drought-like</g> situation in some states.
Total foodgrain output stood at 126.31 mt in the <g data-gr-id="37">kharif</g> (summer) season of the 2014-15 crop year (July-June). The country had achieved a record 131.27 mt foodgrain production from <g data-gr-id="35">kharif</g> crops in the 2011-12 crop year.
1-year extension for pulse & Edible oil control order
Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA government on Tuesday extended by one-year the control order under the Essential Commodities Act allowing the states to take steps to curb unscrupulous trading and hoarding of pulses, edible oils and oilseeds. “The validity of a central order was extended from October 1 to September 30, <g data-gr-id="83">2016</g> in respect of pulses, edible oils and <g data-gr-id="84">oilseeds</g>” said Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad.
“This will enable states to regulate <g data-gr-id="82">trade</g> of these essential commodities and to continue to take effective operations under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. In view of shortages, it was decided in 2014 that pulses, edible oils and edible oilseeds to be brought under control order to ensure availability. The same order is expiring on September 30,” Prasad added.