Rabi output pegged at 77.63 lakh mt in Andhra

Rice production this rabi (2006-2007) is expected to be a record 49.25 lakh metric tonnes (mt) as against the normal production of 37.62 mt.

The cultivated area would also be increased to around 12.82 lakh hectares as against the normal area of 10.61 lakh hectares, according to Andhra Pradesh chief minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy.

Likewise, maize production is expected to hit an all-time high of 12.47 lakh mt against the normal production of 7.33 lakh mt, and the maize cultivated area will be increased to 1.98 lakh hectares against the normal 1.36 lakh hectares, the chief minister said after an informal review meeting with top officials here recently.

The total foodgrain production is estimated to be around 77.63 lakh mt during this rabi, against the normal 56.29 lakh mt while the cultivated area will be 11.72 lakh hectares (normal 10.28 lakh hectares).

"The total cropped area in the state would be around 37.53 lakh hectares as against the normal 34.17 lakh hectares," he added.

The increase in productivity has been observed up to 55 per cent during 2005-06 over the previous three years in maize (30 per cent), redgram (49 per cent), bengalgram (55 per cent), greengram (21 per cent), blackgram (11 per cent), soyabean (41 per cent) and cotton (12 per cent).

It is further targeted to increase the foodgrain production to 203 lakh mt by the end of the next five years by increasing the annual productivity growth rate on an average by 4 per cent, he said.

The productivity increase in non-food crops would also be in similar order. The focus during the next five years would be towards increasing the crop productivity for the net benefit of farmers.

The state has set a 4 per cent growth rate during the 11th Plan through several innovative measures, he added.