Foodgrain output for FY12 revised higher

India's foodgrain production estimate has been revised upwards by over two million tonne to an all-time high of 252.56 million tonne in 2011-12 crop year helped by bumper output of wheat and rice.

In February, foodgrain production was pegged at 250.42 million tonne for the 2011-12 crop year (July-June). The country produced 244.78 million tonne in the previous year.

According to the third advance estimate for 2011-12, released on Monday by Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, rice production has been revised to a record 103.41 million tonne from 102.75 million tonne in the earlier estimate.

Wheat output, too, has been pegged higher at 90.23 million tonne, from 88.31 million tonne in the second advance estimates released in February this year.

However, the production figures of coarse cereals and pulses have been revised downwards to 41.91 million tonne and 17.02 million tonne, respectively, as compared with 42.08 million tonne and 17.28 million tonne, respectively.

"I am extremely happy to see this figure. I would like to congratulate the farming community. Overall stock position is good. The problem will be storage. I hope the concerned department will take appropriate steps," Pawar said.

Cotton production is estimated at a record 35.2 million bales (of 170 kg each), as against 34.08 million bales in the earlier projection for this year.

In the 2010-11 crop year, rice production stood at 95.98 million tonne, wheat - 86.87 million tonne, pulses - 18.24 million tonne and coarse cereals - 43.68 million tonne.