India's foodgrains production to touch record 295.67 MT in 2019-20 crop year

NEW DELHI: The government has estimated an all-time high foodgrain output of 295.67 million tonne (mt) in in 2019-20, surpassing the previous year’s record production by 10.46 mt. The government’s third advance estimate has forecast high output of all key commodities from the previous assessment. It issues five estimates every year.

Wheat production is likely to be 107.18 mt while rice may touch 117.94 mt — both records. Production of coarse grains and oilseeds is also likely to touch record levels. Pulses production at 23.01mt, however, is lower than the record 25.4 mt in 2017-18.

“The record production of foodgrain shows robustness of the agriculture system. Extended monsoon and cold winter with good moisture content in soil helped in record production. We have again set a target of 298.32 mt of foodgrain in 2020-21. With forecast of a normal monsoon, we expect to achieve this easily,” said S K Malhotra, agriculture commissioner.

Cotton production is estimated at a record 36.05 million bales (170 kg each) — 8.01million bales more on-year.Production of sugarcane, however dipped drastically due to heavy rain in Karnataka and Maharashtra. Output is estimated to fall 11.6% to 358.14 mt. “The surplus production provides an opportunity to export agri produce and enhance farmers income. We are exporting around 12 million tonne of rice every year. But for wheat, we need to explore global opportunities,” said an agriculture department official.