India's foodgrain output dips

India's foodgrain production is estimated to decline by 7.51 per cent to 216.85 million tonnes in the 2009-10 season mainly due to a fall in summer output owing to the worst drought in 30 years.

According the second advance foodgrains estimate released by the government on Friday, the country's foodgrains output is pegged at 216.85 million tonnes (MT) in the 2009-10 season, as against 234.47 million tonnes in 2008-09 season.

The production estimate includes crops grown in the Kharif (June-September) and Rabi (October-June) season.

The production of rice, which is largely grown in the Kharif season, is estimated to be lower at 87.56 million tonnes, as against 99.18 million tonnes in the 2008-09 season. The production of wheat, grown mainly in the rabi season, is projected at 80.28 million tonnes, as compared with 80.68 million tonnes in the year-ago period.

The total coarse cereals output is estimated to decline to 34.27 million tonnes from 40.03 million tonnes in the review period. However, pulses output is estimated to be slightly better at 14.74 million tonnes in the current year as against 14.57 million tonnes in 2008-09 season.

Oilseeds production is estimated at 26.32 million tonnes as against 27.71 million tonnes in the year-ago period. Also, sugarcane production is estimated to be 251.26 million tonnes as against 285.02 million tonnes in the year-ago period.