Foodgrain production in India during 2015-16 was almost stagnant at an estimated 252.23 million tonnes, compared to previous year’s production of 252.02 million tonnes, as drought and un-seasonal rains affected crops in several States across the country.

Rice, pulses, jowar and maize, all suffered a decline, while wheat was higher than last year, according to the third advance estimates brought out by the Agriculture Ministry.

Rice production during 2015-16 is estimated at 103.36 million tonnes, lower by 2.12 million tonnes than its production of 105.48 million tonnes during the previous year, while wheat output is being estimated at 94.04 million tonnes, higher by 7.51 million tonnes.

Target set by Centre

Compared to the target of 264 million tonnes fixed by the Centre for the year, foodgrain production at the current estimated level will be around 4.5 per cent lower, the official release showed.

The lower output was largely on account of deficiency in rainfall, which stood at 12 per cent during the year. In 2014-15, the rainfall deficiency stood at 14 per cent.

The Government has pegged pulses output at 17.06 million tonnes, with gram production at 7.48 million tonnes and tur at 2.6 million tonnes. Production of sugarcane, estimated at 346.72 million tonnes, is lower by 15.61 million tonnes than its production during 2014-15. Cotton, estimated at 30.52 million bales (of 170 kg each) is also lower by 4.28 million bales.

Jute output, estimated at 9.92 million bales (of 180 kg each) is lower by 0.70 million bales than production during the previous year.

Production of oilseeds, at 25.9 million tonnes in 2015-16, posted a decline compared to 27.5 million tonnes in the previous year.

Output of rapeseed mustard is pegged at 6.85 million tonnes and groundnut at 6.89 million tonnes. Soyabean production during 2015-16 is estimated at 8.92 million tonnes.

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