Foodgrain output up by 10 million tonnes in 2005-06: Govt.

New Delhi, July 17 (UNI)Wheat production estimates for this year (2005-06) revised downward to 69.48 million tonnes(mt) against two earlier official estimates of 71 mt in May but still output is projected around one mt more than final tally of 68.64 mt last year (2004-05).

According to 4th Advance Estimates released by the Agrculture Ministry today wheat production was fell short by around 6 mt than the target fixed at 75.53 mt for the outgoing crop.

However, rice production increased by 4 mt at 91.04 mt while the target was fixed at 87.80 mt during 2005-06. The total production of rice last year (2004-05) was 83.13 mt.

The total foodgrains production as per 4th Advance estimates pegged at 208.30 mt during 2005-06 , around 10 mt more than last year (2004-05) total production of 198.36 mt.

However, pulses production's estimates say that output could be at 13.11 mt in 2005-06 almost equalt to last year's produce of 13.13 mt.

The production of total (nine) oilseeds in 2005-06 is estimated around 2.5 mt more at 16.83 mt against last year's output of 14.14 mt.

Output of cotton in 2005-06 is estiamted much higher at 195.72 lakh bales (each bale of 170 kg) against last year's production 164.29 lakh bales.

Sugarcane production is estiamted in 2005-06 higher at 2783.87 lakh tonnes as compared to 2370.88 lakh tonnes during 2004-05.

UNI/JSS SK RN1925