Food grains output down 13.9% to 183 million tonnes
New Delhi: India's food grains production in 2002-03 has been the lowest in the past seven years. This is due to the worst drought in 120 years. Oilseeds output also was the lowest since last 13 years. This was declared by the fourth advance estimates of the government. The total food grains output fell by 13.89 per cent to 182.57 million tonnes (MT) as against 212.02 million tonnes in 2001-02. The oilseeds output was down by 24.27 per cent to be at 15.75 million tonnes as against 20.80 million tonnes in 2001-02. Food grains output in 2002-03 fell by 17 per cent as against the target of 220 million tonne. The oilseeds output fell by 41.66 per cent as against the target of 27 million tonnes. Food grains output, however, was on an increasing trend till 1994-95 when it touched 191.50 million tonnes. Thereafter, in 1995-96 it touched the lowest ebb at 180.42 million tonnes after which the rising trend was recovered and the food grains output touched 199.44 million tonnes in 1996-97 and it again fell to 182.57 million tonnes in 2002-03. Oilseeds output was on a rising trend since the adoption of the technology mission with some slight declines in some years due to scanty rainfall in major producing states. But the oilseeds output in 2002-03 has been recorded lowest since 1990-91 when the output was 18.61 million tonnes.
Back to News Review index page