Weak monsoon reduces foodgrains output - India News and Travel Times Provides India-centric and other News and Features

India's summer-sown rice output in the new season that began in July is expected to be 85.59 million tonnes; down 6.5 percent from the previous season as weak monsoon rains have curbed sowing. Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar said, “Rice production in Kharif is expected to be 85.59 million tonnes, as against the target of 89 million tonnes. If you compare with last five years, our figure was 80.51, so 85.59 million tonnes is better.” Output of summer-planted grain, including corn, is expected to total 117.18 million tonnes, he added as he released the first of the four forecasts for 2012-13. Total summer-sown grains output was 129.94 million tonnes in 2011-12. Pawar also congratulated the farmers for having met the demands of the country and also complimented the officials for handling the drought-like situation well. “I must say the estimates are better than expected. The farmers deserve all credit for this achievement. They have decided to challenge and to meet the wheat requirements of the country. I am also happy to compliment the scientists, officers and extension personnel of my ministry and state governments for handling the drought-like situation proactively and professionally, and for providing technical assistance to farmers,” he added. Production for summer-sown corn is expected to be 14.89 million tonnes, down 8.2 percent from a year ago. Pulses production is expected at 5.26 million tonnes, down 14.6 percent. The government has revised its overall target of grains production in 2012-13 by 3.3 percent to 249 million tones, after lower than average rains in the first half of the June-September rainy season cut areas sown to summer crops.