The government targets additional production of 8.5 million tonnes of foodgrain and 1.5 million tonnes of oilseeds in the rabi season this year to compensate for the loss of farm output in the summer season, Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar said today.

Also Read   Related Stories News Now - Maize output may dip due to floods in Karnataka - Farm output shortfall to hit GDP, says Ficci - Food grain output likely to decline by 10-15% this year - Industrial recovery may offset fall in farm output - 252 districts in 10 states are drought affected: FM - 37 of 50 MP districts declared drought-hit   Also Read   Related Stories News Now - Sensex ends up 130pts - US universities welcomed for joint ventures: PM - Sensex opens flat - PM allays fears on eco reforms, invites US investments - Nooyi for active role of US biz community in India's dev More

"Improved soil moisture due to late monsoon rains has improved the prospect of rabi crops throughout the country," Pawar said at the Economic Editors conference here.

Foodgrain production was around 116 million tonnes in the rabi season last year.

The government expects sugar production at 16 million tonnes in 2009-10 season against 15 million tonnes in the last season.

According to official estimates, released yesterday, the country's foodgrain production, including rice, coarse grains and pulses, would be down by over 21 million tonnes at 96.63 million tonnes in the summer crop due to the impact of natural calamities.

Under the impact of drought and partly floods, rice production is estimated to dip by 15 million tonnes to 69.45 million tonnes in the kharif harvest.

Other Stories      - Sensex ends up 130pts - US universities welcomed for joint ventures: PM - Sensex opens flat - PM allays fears on eco reforms, invites US investments - Nooyi for active role of US biz community in India's dev More

Tags : farm output | foodgrains | oilseeds | rabi season | monsoon | drought   Read Business news in  Advertisements   Get financial advisory and solutions for your projects   Holidays starting at a delightful EMI of Rs 3481   Switch on and say hello to Monday morning !   Your dream home can now be a reality.   Visit Fortis for a preventive health check-up & get a 20% discount.   Follow the ups and downs of your investments. Try our new Portfolio Tracker   Kolkata Dock \ Freight contract for the British Gurkhas Nepal   Find how Midsize Businesses use ERP to gain competitive advantage   Trading in Forex is now as easy as 1-2-3   Discover an economical and cost effective way to market your products and services   Giftwithlove.com: Same day delivery of Flowers and Cakes to India   Download the E-book on the Future of Business Intelligence   Learn Best Practices for improving customer satisfaction   Know your customers better... download the free e-book on CRM