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    Foodgrain production during 1999-2000 is estimated to be a record at 205.91 million tonnes surpassing last year’s record production by an impressive margin of 2.87 million tonnes despite the fact that the monsoon during 1999 was erratic with prolonged dry spells in the western part of the country, seven out of thirty-five meteorological sub-divisions receiving deficient rainfall, super cyclone devastating Orissa and floods affecting Eastern States. During the year, several parts of the country also faced draught-like situation. The assessment of foodgrain production was consolidated on the basis of feedback from the State Agricultural Statistics Authorities.

    The credit for the superior foodgrain production scenario goes on one hand to the country’s farming community and on the other hand to the various measures adopted to manage the agriculture sector effectively. There had been concerted efforts towards technology upgradation and its induction in the farming system, timely and adequate availability of various inputs such as fertilisers and seeds and promotion of their optimal use, surveillance of pests and the remedial measures.

    The momentum of the foodgrain production acceleration this year is steered by the bumper wheat production of 74.25 million tonnes. Wheat production this year has several silver-linings. In Punjab and Haryana, the production of wheat has taken a quantum jump thus putting at rest the notion of stagnation. Productivity in the se two states has crossed the milestones of 4.5 tonnes / hectares and 4.0 tonnes per hectare respectively, thus resulting into new production records in these States. This performance is attributed to wide scale adoption of variety PBW 343. The crop was kept free from pests and the incidence of weeds was kept at minimal. States like U.P., Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh have also performed well on wheat production. The performance in Rajasthan with estimated at 6.7 mt contribution is also note-worthy since parts of the State had passed through draught-like condition.

    The excellent production performance this year is also contributed by the jump in the production of rice as well. The rice bowl of the country was generally not affected by uneven distribution of rainfall. Rabi/Summer rice nearly maintained its performance of last year with over 12 million tonnes production. The production of rice this year is expected to be an all time record of 88.25 million tonnes which will be about 2.3 mt more than that produced last year. Cyclone ravaged Orissa is poised to register record summer rice production of 8.8 lakh tonnes while Assam too is going to have a record summer rice production of 6 lakh tonnes.

    The another redeeming feature is that Maize production has increased by about 8 lakh tonnes as compared to last year and is yet another record of 11.5 million tonnes. Rabi foodgrain production is now almost equal to Kharif foodgrain production.

    The dry spell in the western part of the country has however, affected the prospects of commercial crops particularly that of pulses and oilseeds. The groundnut crop is severely affected with its production likely to slump to 5.6 million tonnes as against 9.2 million tonnes recorded last year. Soyabean and Rapeseed and mustard production this year is expected to be marginally lower by one lakh tonnes each than last year production. The total oil seed production is expected to be 21.2 million tonnes and it will be about 4.0 million tonnes less than the record production of 25.2 mt achieved last year. Pulses production is also less by over a million tonnes.

    Inspite of some shrinkage in area, cotton production this year is expected to be 12.0 million bales, marginally lower than 12.2 million bales production last year. However, in this subdued scenario of commercial crops, the prospects of sugarcane production are promising and the likely production is expected to be 309 million tonnes as against 296 million tonnes produced last year. The production of jute and mesta is also expected to be higher this year at 10.57 million bales as compared to 9.7 million bales produced last year.