Ap Foodgrain Output Declines

Andhra Pradesh has been facing a consistent decline in foodgrain production during the last four years.

The downslide is of particular concern to the government already reeling under the burden of the subsidised rice scheme.

The foodgrain production during 1995-96 dropped to 116.74 lakh tonnes from 117.83 lakh tonnes during the previous year with the fall being more alarming during rabi season when production declined 4.5 per cent from 43.1 lakh tonnes to 41.15 lakh tonnes.

The slide, started four years ago, saw paddy production dropping from 95.62 lakh tonnes in 1993-94 to 90.14 lakh tonnes in 1995-96, a state government survey said.