Farm sector posts higher growth at 3.9% in Q1

NEW DELHI: Agriculture and allied sector grew by 3.9 per cent in the first quarter of the current fiscal as against 2.4 per cent in the year-ago period on record rabi (winter) crop.

"The production of crops -- rice, wheat, coarse cereals and pulses during the rabi season of agriculture year 2010-11 recorded growth rates of 11.3 per cent, 6.3 per cent, 0.7 per cent and 4.9 per cent respectively over the production in the corresponding season of previous agriculture year," an official statement said.

Among commercial crops, the production of oilseeds rose by 12 per cent in rabi season of 2010-11 crop year (July-June).

India produced a record 241.56 million tonnes of foodgrains in 2010-11 crop year against 218.11 million tonnes in the previous crop year.

Out of 241.56 tonnes, the country produced 120.2 million tonnes in Kharif season and record 121.36 million tonnes in the rabi season.

In foodgrains category, the country achieved a record production in wheat at 85.93 million tonnes, coarse cereals at 42.22 million tonnes and pulses at 18.09 million tonnes in 2010-11 crop year.

The agriculture and allied sector contribute about 14 per cent to the country's total GDP. The farm sector is expected to miss the targeted four per cent growth in the 11th Five Year Plan (2007-2012).