Kharif rice output pegged lower at 92.32 MT

Harvest in the previous season was 92.76 MT

The government has pegged rice output in this kharif season marginally lower at 92.32 million tonnes due to deficient rain in some states, but the overall foodgrain production is estimated to rise slightly to 129.32 million tonnes on better crop of pulses and coarse cereals.

Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar said a record foodgrain production is expected in full 2013-14 crop year (July-June) and "there will be a rebound in agriculture growth".

Releasing the first forecast of foodgrain production in the kharif season, Pawar said: "Rice output is estimated slightly lower at 92.32 million tonnes. But, I am confident that we will definitely make it up."

The country had harvested 92.76 million tonnes of rice, the main kharif crop, in the previous season. Sowing in the kharif season begins with the onset of southwest monsoon in June and the harvesting is from October.

Pawar, however, said the government's initial foodgrain production estimates are normally conservative. There is always 5-10 per cent difference in output figures of first and final forecasts.

"With favourable weather condition, I am confident that kharif production will be substantially higher than what has been estimated at present. And there will be highest foodgrain production in the entire 2013-14 crop year. Definitely, there will be a rebound in agriculture growth," he told reporters.

According to the first estimates, the overall foodgrain production will rise marginally to 129.32 million tonnes in the kharif season of 2013-14 from 128.20 million tonnes in the year-ago period.

Higher pulses and coarse cereals output is projected to lift the overall foodgrain production.

While pulses output is pegged at 6.01 million tonnes in kharif this year, against to 5.91 million tonnes in the year-ago period, the production of coarse cereals is seen at 30.99 million tonne up from 29.54 million tonne in the review period last year.