Shobhana K Pattanayak

The minor losses due to rains in the isolated pockets was factored in during the first projection made last month with respect to total kharif (summer) foodgrains output for the 2017-18 crop year (July-June), he said.

India set for record kharif crop harvest

So far, more than 80 per cent of the sowing of kharif crops -- paddy, pulses, oilseeds, cotton, sugarcane and jute -- has been completed and the planting will continue in some parts till next month, Pattanayak told PTI in an interview.

Govt considering imposing import duty on wheat: Agriculture Secretary

On December 8, the government had reduced customs duty on wheat to zero from 10 percent to boost domestic availability and check retail prices.

NCDC sanctions Rs 10,162 cr funds till November this fiscal

A statutory body, NCDC has been implementing a central sector/corporation-sponsored scheme for providing financial assistance towards setting up of agro-based processing units.

Duty-free wheat import not to impact sowing, farmers: Agri Sec

Last week, the government had brought down import duty on wheat to zero from 15 percent to boost domestic supplies and control rising prices.

Banks are sensitive to credit needs of farmers: Agriclture Secy

Speaking to CNBC-TV18 Shobhana K Pattanayak, Agriculture Secretary, affirmed that the agriculture sector is doing well. “We have had a bountiful monsoon and we expect a bumper production this year. We have covered about 226 lakh hectares.”