New Delhi : The country is likely to produce an all-time high 273 million tonnes (MT) of foodgrain in the 2017-18 crop year starting July and maintain 4 per cent farm growth, anticipating a good monsoon.
Foodgrain production is estimated to touch a record 271.98 MT in the current year (July-June) on the back of good rains after two years of drought, according to the second estimate of the agriculture ministry.
“Foodgrain production target for next year is set at record 273 million tonnes,” Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh said while addressing a two-day national conference that is discussing sowing strategy for the coming kharif season. Southwest monsoon is forecast to be normal which will help achieve the desired target, he said without disclosing the season-specific production targets.
It may be noted that 50 per cent of the foodgrain output comes from both kharif (summer) and rabi (winter) seasons. Kharif crops are normally sown in around 72 million hectares. Rice, pulses (tur, urad and moong), oilseeds (groundnut and soybean), cotton and sugarcane are main crops grown in this season, reports PTI.
Junior Agricutlure Ministers Parshottam Rupala and Sudarshan Bhagat emphasised on providing timely support to farmers during pre and post harvesting periods.
