India’s wheat production to be at record high of 81.47MT for 2010-11 crop year

On record production of wheat and pulses, India's foodgrain output overall in the 2010-11 crop year is expected to be right on track following a drought year with a growth of 6 per cent at 232.07 MT. 

"We are likely to achieve record production of wheat (81.47 MT), pulses (16.51MT) and cotton (33.9 million bales of 170 kg each) this year," agriculture minister Sharad Pawar told reporters after announcing the second advance estimate of foodgrain production for 2010-11 crop year.

According to Pawar, foodgrain production was likely to to be up at 232.07 MT against 218.11 MT last year. The output therefore would be marginally below the record production of 234.47 MT in 2008-09.

According to US think-tank International Food Policy Research Institute, (IFPRI)'s Asia director Ashok Gulati, there was no inflation in wheat and rice.

He added pulses production was up and this year and the population would not have to bear the brunt of high prices it faced in 2009. He added that some relief was on the way in the coming days. 

Noting that the higher production would be achieved under adverse conditions of significant crop damage due to drought in Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa and West Bengal as also the effects of cyclone, unseasonal rains and severe cold wave and frost condition in several parts of the country, Pawar said the desire was to reach 4 per cent growth but there was drought last year.