India expected to record highest-ever foodgrain production

India is likely to produce 264.38 million tonnes of foodgrains during 2013-14 (includes kharif crops in 2013 and rabi crops during 2013-14 crops) compared to 257.13 million tonnes last year.

This is over seven million tonnes higher than the production last year. In the earlier second advance estimates released in February, the total foodgrain production was pegged at 263.2 million tonne. 

This is 1 million tonne higher tha expected, mainly due to higher wheat and rice output.

Rice production is expected at record 106.29 million tonnes, while wheat production is expected to reach 95.85 million tonnes.

Record production has also been achieved in the case of  tur (3.38 million tonne), gram (9.93 million tonnes), maize (24.19 million tonnes), all pulses put together (19.57 million tonne), cotton (36.50 million bales) and jute (10.82 million bales).

Industry body Assocham said yesterday India can export upto 10 million tons (MT) of wheat each year if the country is able to maintain production level of about 95 MT as exports are the only ideal option to avoid massive spoilage and wastage.

According to estimates about 40 per cent grains worth about Rs 50,000 crore are spoilt owing to dearth of adequate modern  wheat storage facilities and the slow pace at which new fresh storage space is being created in the country.

Exports would help India develop dedicated clientele in the global wheat markets.

Major importers of wheat from India are Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, South Korea, Malaysia, Nepal, Oman, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, UAE, Yemen, Vietnam and African Countries like Djibouti, Ethiopia, Sudan, Tanzania among others.

Though, with over 90 million tons (MT) of annual wheat production India ranks second only after China in terms of global wheat production of about 700 MT grown on over 240 million hectares, however in terms of yield (3 MT/ha) India is far behind leading Western European countries like - France, Germany, UK (each with about 7 MT/ha), China (5 MT/ha). ''Considering the growing population and needs for country's food security there is a compelling need to increase the yields significantly by focusing on high yielding varieties suitable for various geographical and climatic regions.''

''The total production of wheat which accounts for about 35 per cent of India's foodgrains' basket may reach 100 MT by 2016-17 from the level of about 93.5 MT as of 2012-13,'' noted Assocham. ''However, unless concerted efforts are made to fight the vagaries of weather, risk of pests and diseases and poor productivity in most wheat producing states, it is difficult to achieve higher wheat production targets on a consistent basis.''