Rice production seen at record 99.37 MT in '08-09

The Centre has revised India's wheat production estimates for 2008-09 season marginally lower at 77.63 million tonnes, while rice output is likely to touch a record of nearly 100 million tonnes.

According to the government's third advance estimate posted on the website on Tuesday, rice production is projected at record 99.37 million tonnes, up from 98.89 million tonnes pegged in the second advance estimate released in February.

The previous record was 96.69 million tonnes of rice in 2007-08 season.

In case of wheat, the production estimate has been revised downward to 77.63 million tonnes from 77.78 million tonnes in the second advance estimates. In 2007-08 season, the country had produced a record 78.57 million tonnes of wheat.

The third advance estimate is more near to the final figure as it takes into account the harvested crop of both Rabi and Kharif output and market arrivals of the commodities.

Pulses production has been revised downward at 14.18 million tonnes from 14.25 million tonnes in the second advance estimates. Pulses output stood at 14.76 million tonnes in 2007-08 season.

The production of coarse cereals has been revised upward at 38.67 million tonnes from the earlier 36.96 million tonnes. Coarse cereals output was 40.76 million tonnes in last season.

The total foodgrains production has been pegged higher at 229.85 million tonnes from 227.88 million tonnes in the second advance estimates. In the previous season, India produced a record 230.78 million tonnes of foodgrains.

The government had set a target to produce 233 million tonnes of foodgrains in 2008-09 season.

The third advance estimate has pegged the oilseeds production at 28.12 million tonnes, which is 2.16 million tonnes more than what was estimated in February. However, the output is still lower than 29.76 million tonnes in 2007-08.

Among oilseeds, the production of soyabean, groundnut and mustard has been revised upward. Soyabean production is now seen at 10.15 million tonnes while mustard output at 7.31 million tonnes and groundnut at 7.30 million tonnes.

According to the agriculture ministry data, India is estimated to have produced 289.23 million tonnes sugarcane and 23.26 million tonnes of cotton in 2008-09 season.

Jute and mesta production stood at 9.53 million tonnes and 7.97 lakh tonnes, respectively.