KHARIF CROP PROSPECTS BRIGHT
Crop prospects for
kharif 2003 are bright. Helped by good monsoon rains this year,
the area coverage of most of the crops has progressed satisfactorily.
The sown area under several major crops such as maize, soyabean
and kharif pulses has already exceeded the normal area. This is
likely to reflect positively on the overall crop production.
The country’s foodgrain
production during 2002-03 slumped to 182.6 million tones, due
to widespread drought from the record level of 212 million tonnes
in 2001-02. Production this year is likely to match the performance
of 2001-02 if serious climatic disturbances are not faced.
Good rains have also
helped in recharging the surface and ground water resources. This
will benefit the irrigation needs of rabi crops.
