The Centre today released the first advance estimates of major crops during the Kharif season for 2012-13. As per the estimates, the country is likely to produce 117.18 million tonnes of foodgrains in the current crop season. Releasing the estimates in New Delhi today, Agriculture minister Sharad Pawar said, the production of Rice is estimated at 85.59 million tonnes. He said, despite poor rain, rice production is higher than the average production of 83.17 million tonnes. The estimated production of Coarse cereals is, however, lower than average production by 3.65 million tonnes mainly on account of loss in area coverage under Bajra and Maize in the states including Gujarat, Haryana, Maharashtra and Rajasthan. The production of sugarcane is also expected to be more than last year at 335.33 million tonnes is higher by 10.22 million tonnes as compared to average production.

Mr Pawar said, the country witnessed delay in the onset of monsoon this year. He said, the first estimates are better than expected and final estimates will be better than

this.

Earlier addressing a function, Mr. Pawar said, the Centre is now aiming and concentrating over the sowing of rabi crops in the country to compensate for the deficit in the production of Kharif crop. The Agriculture minister also allayed fears of shortage of food grains in the country due to the delayed onset of monsoon. He said, delayed monsoon and subdued activity, impacted the sowing of Kharif during June to July and some areas remained unsown which is bound to impact the production of Kharif crops, specially coarse cereals.

Mr Pawar also said, widespread rains were also experienced during September, enough to recharge the soil profile in the rainfed areas. He said it is essential to capitalize upon the available soil moisture through timely sowing and placing the seed at appropriate depth and duly supported by the right amount of nutrition and plant production.
Emphasizing the need to promote and popularize the cultivation of recommended varieties and hybrids of boro rice, rabi, maize, wheat and improved varieties of gram and other rabi pulses, Mr Pawar said, the distribution of improved and quality seed of rabi crops should be taken up in a campaign mode.