The overall foodgrain output is estimated to rise marginally to 129.32 million tonnes in the Kharif season this year from 128.20 million tonnes in the same period last year. Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar said, however, country's rice production is estimated to drop slightly to 92.32 million tonnes from 92.76 million tonnes last year. Mr Pawar, who was releasing the first advance estimate for crop production for 2013-14 in New Delhi today, attributed the dip in the rice production to deficient rains in some states.
The maize and pulse production, on the other hand, is expected to rise this year. Mr. Pawar said that maize production is projected to increase to 17.78 million tonnes in the Kharif season compared to 16.04 million tonnes last year. Similarly, pulse production in the country is also estimated to rise to 6.01 million tonnes from the previous 5.91 million tonnes.