India achieves record output of wheat, pulses in 2010-11

India produced a record quantum of wheat and pulses in the 2010-11 crop year, ending June, at 85.93 million tonne (MT) and 18.09 MT, respectively, on the back of a good monsoon and higher support prices for farmers. 

According to fourth advance estimates prepared by the Agriculture Ministry, the country is estimated to have harvested 95.32 MT of rice and 42.22 MT of coarse cereals in the 2010-11 crop year (July-June), sources said. 

The country's total foodgrains production is estimated at 241.56 MT in 2010-11, as against 218.11 MT in the previous year.

Last week, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar announced that foodgrains production has increased to 241 MT in the 2010-11 crop year, compared to the third advance estimate of 235.88 MT released in April.

Foodgrains comprise rice, wheat, coarse cereals and pulses.

In the 2009-10 crop year, wheat production stood at 80.8 MT, rice at 89.09 MT, coarse cereals at 33.55 MT and pulses at 14.66 MT.