Foodgrain output likely to dip 3.5% to 250 MT in FY13

The overall foodgrains production is expected to dip by 3.5% to 250.1 million tonnes (MT) in 2012-13 due to estimated fall in kharif production, following weak monsoon, economic think tank CMIE has said.

"The food grain production is estimated to fall by 3.5% to 250.1 MT in FY13. Irregular monsoon rainfall in 2012 had taken a toll on kharif cultivation and productivity. The decline in production is estimated in food grains, oilseeds, sugarcane and fibres," Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE) said in its monthly report.

Rabi cultivation has picked up pace and is reported to be marginally higher than last year, however, it has failed to compensate for kharif losses. The acreage of rabi crops grew by 0.2% to 630 lakh hectares, as of March 1, 2013.

Except rice and wheat, cultivation of major rabi crops grew, compared to last year, CMIE said. Cultivation of wheat declined marginally by 0.1% to 298.4 lakh hectares as of March 1. Rice cultivation during rabi has declined by 11.5% to 28.9 lakh hectares so far.

The Agriculture Ministry's second advance estimates indicate a 2.9% growth in pulses production in FY'13.

"Rabi cultivation of pulses rose marginally by 0.8% to 151.7 lakh hectares. Sowing of gram grew considerably by 5.6% to 95.2 lakh hectares," it said quoting the Agriculture Ministry's second advance estimates.

Similarly, coarse grains area grew by 5.4% to 63.8 lakh hectares by March 1, however, an estimated fall in kharif output will offset the growth in the rabi season.

The overall coarse grains production is likely to dip by 8.5% to 38.5 MT, it said.

Among the non-food crops, sugarcane is likely to be the worst affected in 2012-13. CMIE said according to the second advance estimates, sugarcane output is expected to decline by 7.3% to 334.5 MT in FY'13.

Production of major oilseeds is likely to dip by 1.1% to 29.5 MT this fiscal.

According to the Agriculture Ministry, the production of groundnuts, castor and sesame would fall because of lower kharif cultivation. However, rapeseed and soybean production is expected to increase by 11.5% to 7.4 MT.