As per the First Advance Estimates of production of Kharif crops, 117.18 million tonnes (MT) foodgrains is likely to be produced in the current season. 

These production estimates are higher than the average of the first advance estimates of the last five years (113 MT). Final estimates are generally 5 to 10% higher than the first estimates. Even as compared to the average of final estimates (118.86 MT), the current estimates are lower by 1.68 million tonnes or about 1.4% despite deficient and late rains this year.

            These estimates were released by Agriculture Minister, Shri Sharad Pawar today. Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said, the estimates were higher than expectations considering the truant monsoon rains.

            The assessment of production of different crops is based on the feedback received from States and validated with information available from other sources.

            The estimated production of major crops during Kharif 2012-13 is as under:

Foodgrains  ‒ 117.18 million tonnes

·        Rice       ‒  85.59 million tonnes

·        Coarse Cereals ‒  26.33 million tonnes

·        Maize  ‒  14.89 million tonnes

·        Pulses ‒  5.26 million tonnes

·        Tur ‒   2.78 million tonnes

·        Urad ‒  1.14 million tonnes

Oilseeds  ‒  18.78 million tonnes

·            Soyabean ‒  12.62 million tonnes

·            Groundnut ‒  3.82 million tonnes

·            Castorseed ‒  1.40 million tonnes

Cotton ‒  33.40 million bales (of 170 kg each)

Sugarcane ‒  335.33 million tonnes

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As per 1^st advance estimates, production of Rice estimated at 85.59 million tonnes, though lower as compared to last year’s record Kharif production, is higher than the average production of 83.17 million tonnes. 

The estimated production of Coarse Cereals, is however, lower than average production by 3.65 million tonnes mainly on account of loss in area coverage under Bajra and Maize in the States of Gujarat, Haryana, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Rajasthan. 

The estimated production of Kharif Pulses is also lower than the average production by 0.45 million tonnes mainly due to shortfall in Moong and other Kharif Pulses.

            Though there is a significant increase in estimated production of soyabean, yet due to decline in the production of Groundnut, total production of Kharif Oilseeds estimated at 18.78 million tonnes is lower than the average production by 0.61 million tonnes.

            The current year’s production of Sugarcane estimated at 335.33 million tonnes is higher by 10.22 million tonnes as compared to average production.

            The estimated production of Cotton at 33.40 million bales (of 170 kg each) has registered an increase of 5.32 million bales as compared to average cotton production of 28.08 million bales.  Production of Jute is also estimated to be marginally higher than the average production.

MP: DS:CP: first advance estimates (24.9.2012)