Govt estimates 2-4 mt fall in kharif grain production

The area under rice, the main foodgrain grown during kharif, was estimated at 35 million hectares, marginally more than in 2013

As the sowing of kharif crops enters its final phase, the total area planted is estimated at 96.62 million hectares (mha), almost 3.17 mha less than last year. This is mainly due to the below-normal monsoon. In last year's kharif season, 99.9 mha was planted.

However, the area under rice, the main foodgrain grown during kharif, was estimated at 35 mha, marginally more than in 2013.

"As of now, there does not seem to be a big impact on production due to low rains but all depends on how the monsoon will perform in the last month. Nevertheless, our estimate is, as of now, total foodgrain production might fall by two to four million tonnes as compared to last year because of uneven rain," a senior government official said on Friday.

A good spell of rain is required during the vegetative and reproduction stage of these crops, he said.

The data, issued by the Union agriculture ministry, showed cotton sowing up to 12.25 mha from 11.16 mha in the comparable period. However, the area sown to pulses remained lower at 9.54 mha, compared to 10 mha a year before. Oilseeds is down at 17.22 mha from 18.67 mha. Both are a cause for concern, as the country is heavily dependent on import of lentils and edible oils.

The area planted to coarse cereal is also lower at 17 mha as against 19 mha in the year-ago period. Sugarcane is down at 4.71 mha from five mha in the review period.

Sowing of kharif crops begins with the southwest monsoon's onset from June. Harvesting commences from October.