Govt aims 245mt foodgrain output

The government aims to achieve  an all-time high of 245 million tonnes (MT) of foodgrain production in 2011-12 crop year, notwithstanding a below normal monsoon forecast by the Met Department.

"Our overall foodgrains production target is 245 MT for the 2011-12 crop year, which is 9 MT higher than the last year's," Agriculture Secretary P K Basu told reporters here.
Foodgrains production is estimated to be at a record 235.88 MT in the 2010-11 crop year (July-June).
Last month, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) had said in its second forecast that South-West monsoon would be below normal at 95% of the Long Period Average (LPA), with margin for error of plus or minus 4%.
Basu said the below normal rains forecast may not affect farm production, noting that the rainfall so far is normal and there is no cause of concern.
"It is a normal feature that out of 600 districts in such a big country, 70-100 districts either get affected by drought or excess rains. We should not be particularly worried about this trend. Of course, subject to normal rains, foodgrains production is expected to rise," Basu explained.
For the 2011-12 crop year, Agriculture Ministry has pegged rice production at 102 MT, wheat at 85 MT, coarse cereals at 41 MT, and pulses at 17 MT -- taking total foodgrains output to 245 MT.
Last year, the country is estimated to have produced 94.11 MT of rice, 84.27 MT of wheat, 40.21 MT of coarse cereals and 17.29 MT of pulses.
Foodgrains are cultivated in kharif (summer) and rabi (winter) season. Sowing of kharif crops like paddy is underway.
The Agriculture Ministry has kept high foodgrain production target for the 2011-12 crops on the back of good rains so far and full water level in reservoirs, Basu said.
Good rains in June will aid sowing, which has already begun in the most parts of the country, he added.
According to the official data, rains were plus 11 per cent in June, as against minus 16% in the same period last year.
Asked if it is viable to meet foodgrain demand under the proposed National Food Security Act, Basu said, "We are confident of meeting the foodgrains requirement of 60-70 million tonnes under proposed Food Bill".
The policies adopted in the agriculture sector so far are going on the right track and there would not be any supply problem in good times. However, an alternative strategy need to be worked out in the years of drought, he said.
"The rice target of 102 MT is achievable as the eastern belt, which produces more than 60% of the country's rice, has received good rains. As regards to wheat, it is too early to say," Basu said after assessing rains in June and on hopes that the same trend continues.
Paddy producing southern states barring Andhra Pradesh, pulses and coarse cereals growing regions of central and North India have received good rains so far, he added.
Pointing out that sporadic rains in Gujarat may affect cotton production to some extent, he said that the clear picture of south-west monsoon, however, would be known by the end of July.
The Food Ministry is ready with the draft of the proposed National Food Security Act, which aims to provide legal right over subsidised foodgrains to the poor.
The Food Ministry has suggested to cover 75% the country's population under the proposed bill and the annual requirement of foodgrains is estimated to be around 65 million tonnes.