Govt sets foodgrain output target at 238 mn tonnes

The government has set a foodgrain production target of 238.12 million tonnes for the current year, which includes production of 100.5 million tonnes of rice and 79 million tonnes of wheat, Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar said.

The production target for 2009-10 has been fixed at 446 million tonnes for Uttar Pradesh, 266.70 million tonnes for Punjab and 185.48 million tonnes for Andhra Pradesh, Pawar said while presenting the state-wise and crop-wise production target in Lok Sabha today.

Highlighting the foodgrain production during the first two years of the 11th Five Year Plan, Pawar said in a written reply that there has been a record production of foodgrains in the country exceeding the targets set for the years.

 

In 2007-08, foodgrain production stood at 230.78 million tonnes against the target of 221.50 million tonnes. Similarly in 2008-09, output touched 233.88 million tonnes against the target of 233 million tonnes, he said.

He clarified that production targets are not set for the entire 11th Plan period, but fixed every year in consultation with states.

The production target for coarse cereals and pulses is set at 42.12 million tonnes and 16.5 million tonnes, respectively for 2009-10, the minister said.