The country produced record 18.5 million tone pulses in the 2012-13 crop year ended June, while foodgrain output fell by a marginal 1.5 percent to 255.36 mt driven down by the severe drought conditions in some states last year. According to the fourth advance estimate of foodgrain production for 2012-13 released by agriculture ministry Monday, pulses output was revised upward to record 18.45 mt in 2012-13 compared with 18 mt in the third estimate in May. Pulses output stood at 17.09 mt in 2011-12. The record pulses production augurs well for the country which is depended on imports to meet the shortfall of around 3-4 mt. Higher supply will reduce imports and also prices.
Higher support price prompted farmers to grow pulses. "As per the latest estimates, the country’ Overall grain production stood at 255.36 Mt during the year," an official statement said. The foodgrain output is same as it was in the third estimate, but it is lower than the record 259.29 mt achieved in the 2011-12 crop year (July-June). Rice production has been revised upward to 104.4 mt from 104.22 mt in the third estimates. However, rice output is lower than 105.3 mt in 2011-12. Coarse cereals production estimates has also been revised upward at 40.06 mt in 2012-13 from 39.52 mt in the third estimate, but it is still lower than the previous year's 42.01 mt. However, wheat output has been revised downward to 92.46 mt from 93.62 mt in the third estimate. Production stood at record 94.88 mt in 2011-12. Foodgrain output in 2012-13 is lower than previous year due to poor monsoons in Maharasthra, Karnataka and Rajasthan. However, the production is expected to rebound this year as the country is currently receiving good monsoon and sowing area has exceeded last year's level so far.
