Second AE put Foodgrain production at 263.2 MT in 2013-14

Union Agriculture Ministry released the Second advance estimates of Crop Production  on 14 February 2014. As per the estimate, Foodgrain production is likely to touch a record of 263.2 million tonnes in 2013-14, as against the benchmark high of 259 million tonnes achieved in 2011-12. This would be the highest foodgrain production ever achieved in the country.

The estimated foodgrain production of 263.2 for 2013-14 million tonnes is higher than the foodgrain production of 257.13 million tonnes in 2012-13. This is 6 million tonnes higher than the production in 2012-13.

Record production of rice, wheat, oilseeds and cotton has contributed to the overall rise in foodgrain output in the 2013-14.  Also, a good monsoon along with improved sowing of both kharif (summer) and rabi (winter) crops have improved prospects of a better foodgrain production in 2013-14.

 The rice output is expected to be 106.19 million tonnes, as against 105.24 million tonnes produced in 2012-13. Wheat production is expected to be 95.60 million tonnes compared to 93.51 million tonnes produced in 2012-13.

The output of Pulses in 2013-14 has gone up to 19.77 million tonnes compared to 18.34 million tonnes in 2011-12. Coarse cereal production increased by 1.5 million tonnes to 41.64 million tonnes.

The total oilseeds production is expected to be 329.83 lakh tonnes as against 309.43 lakh tonnes in 2012-13. Production of rapeseed and mustard is likely to be an all-time high at 82.51 lakh tonnes, compared to 80.29 lakh tonnes in 2012-13.