Foodgrain output to rise 2.5% to record 323.55 million tonnes in 2022-23

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India's foodgrain production is estimated to rise by 2.5 percent at an all-time high of 323.55 million tonnes in the current crop year ending June, mainly on expectations of record output of rice, wheat, and pulses.

Oilseeds production, too, is expected to increase by 2 million tonnes to record 40 million tonnes in the 2022-23 crop year (July-June), as per the second advance estimates of production of foodgrains released by the agriculture ministry on Tuesday.

Bumper production of foodgrains (comprising of wheat, rice, pulses, and coarse cereals) and oilseeds will boost domestic supplies and help in containing food inflation. India imports a large quantity of edible oils (cooking oils) to meet its domestic demand.

The rate of price rise in the food basket was 5.94 percent in January, up from 4.19 percent in the preceding month and 5.43 percent in the year-ago month, as per data released by the National Statistical Office (NSO) on Monday.

"Agriculture sector is developing day by day due to the hard work of farmers, the proficiency of scientists, and farmer-friendly policies of the government in the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi," agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar said in a statement.

As per the data, wheat production is estimated at record 112.18 million tonnes in the 2022-23 crop year, as against 107.74 million tonnes in the previous year.

The previous high in production of wheat, a major rabi crop, was achieved in the 2020-21 crop year at 109.58 million tonnes. The output had fallen to 107.74 million tonnes in the previous year due to heat waves in some producing states.

According to the ministry's data, rice production is estimated to increase to 130.83 million tonnes in the 2022-23 crop year, as against 129.47 million tonnes in the previous year.

Rice is grown in both kharif (summer sown) and rabi (winter sown) seasons. The rice production in Kharif season is estimated to fall to 108.07 million tonnes from 111 million tonnes because of deficient rains in some states, but the rice output in the rabi season is slated to increase to 22.76 million tonnes from 18.47 million tonnes.

The output of coarse cereals has been pegged at 52.72 million tonnes in the current crop year as against 51.10 million tonnes in the previous year.

Pulse production is estimated at record 27.81 million tonnes in 2022-23 as against 27.3 million tonnes in the previous year.

Total foodgrain production is estimated to be a record 323.55 million tonnes in the 2022-23 crop year, as against 315.61 million tonnes in the previous year.

Apart from foodgrains, the ministry said that the oilseeds production is estimated at record 40 million tonnes in 2022-23, as against 37.96 million tonnes in the previous year.

Among oilseeds, the output of rapeseed and mustard is expected to rise to 12.81 million tonnes from 11.96 million tonnes, while soyabean output may increase to 13.97 million tonnes from 12.98 million tonnes.

In the case of wheat, the estimates of higher production augurs well as it will boost domestic availability and help in bringing down the retail prices of wheat and atta (wheat flour).

The government had to ban wheat exports in May last year to control prices. It has recently decided to offload 3 million tonnes of wheat in the open market to cool retail prices. Around 2.5 million tonnes out of 3 million tonnes have been earmarked for sale to bulk users like flour millers.

The total area planted with wheat crop has risen by only 1.39 lakh hectares to 343.23 lakh hectares (ha) in the rabi season of the 2022-23 crop year from the year-ago period, but the crop yields are expected to be better due to good weather conditions.

Wheat has already started arriving in Madhya Pradesh, one of the major wheat growing states in the country.

As per the data, the production of sugarcane during 2022-23 is estimated at record 468.78 million tonnes as against 439.42 million tonnes in the previous year.

Production of cotton is estimated at 33.72 million bales (of 170 kg each), up from 31.11 million bales in the previous year.

Jute & Mesta output is estimated at 10.04 million bales (of 180 kg each).

The assessment of production of different crops is based on the feedback received from states and validated with information available from other sources, the ministry said in a statement.

This assessment would undergo further revision over successive estimates based upon feedback received from the states, alternative sources and other factors, it added.