Foodgrain prod in Rajasthan to fall short of target

Jaipur, Apr 22 (UNI) The total foodgrains production in Rajasthan this year is likely to be 93.46 lakh tonnes exceeding last year's figure of 68.65 lakh tonnes, but is feared to be less than the target.

The target of foodgrains production for the current crop season is 107.05 lakh tonnes, official data has pointed out.

The production of oilseeds is expected to be less than the last year's corresponding figures and the current crop year's targetted mark, according to the Board of Revenue data.

The farmers this year crossed the sowing targets but the less yield per hectare adversely affected the crop prospects.

The figures revealed that the total cereals production this year is expected to be 82.27 lakh tonnes against 63.23 lakh tonnes a year ago and current target mark of 90.40 lakh tonnes.

Among cereals, wheat production in 2006-2007 is estimated to be 73.32 lakh tonnes as compared to 58.65 lakh tonnes the corresponding year. If the departmental estimates turn out to be true, the procurement would be below the targeted mark of 78.40 lakh tonnes.

Similarly, barley production this year is expected to touch the mark of 8.95 lakh tonnes against the corresponding figures of 4.58 lakh tonnes. The current year's target was 12.0 lakh tonnes.

Chana (gram) production is also likely to be only 10.92 lakh tonnes, 68 per cent of the current year's target of 16 lakh tonnes.

However, the production was much better than last year's crop at 4.79 lakh tonnes.

Contrary to this, rabi pulses' production is estimated to be only 28,000 tonnes against last year's yield of 63,000 tonnes.

The target was set at 65,000 tonnes but inadequate sowing and less yield per hectare brought down the production.

Situation for oilseed growers is also not very bright, the departmental estimates suggested. The total oilseeds production this year is estimated to be 40.44 lakh tonnes against last year's figures of 44.19 lakh tonnes and current target of 42.75 lakh tonnes.

Of this, mustard production, this year, is expected to be 39.76 lakh tonnes against last year's production of 43.86 lakh tonnes and current target of 40.50 lakh tonnes.

UNI