The Department of Agriculture & Cooperation has released today, 22^nd April 2008, the 3^rd Advance Estimates of production of major crops grown in the country. The latest assessment is based on the feedback received from the States and validated with the information available from other sources.

Highlights of these estimates are:

·         Foodgrains production at 227.32 million tonnes during 2007-08 is estimated to be an all time record.

·         Rice production at 95.68 million tonnes during 2007-08 is estimated to be an all time record.

·         Wheat production at 76.78 million tonnes during 2007-08 is estimated to be an all time record.

·         Coarse Cereals production at 39.67 million tonnes during 2007-08 is estimated to be an all time record.

·         Maize production at 18.54 million tonnes during 2007-08 is estimated to be an all time record.

·         Pulses production at 15.19 million tonnes during 2007-08 is estimated to be an all time record.

·         Tur production at 3.03 million tonnes during 2007-08 is estimated to be an all time record.

·         Urad production at 1.56 million tonnes during 2007-08 is estimated to be an all time record.

·         Oilseeds production at 28.21 million tonnes during 2007-08 is estimated to be an all time record.

·         Soyabean production at 9.43 million tonnes during 2007-08 is estimated to be an all time record.

·         Cotton production at 23.19 million bales of 170 kg each is estimated to be an all time record. 

As per the 3rd Advance Estimates for 2007-08, total foodgrains production is estimated at 227.32 million tonnes comprising 95.68 million tonnes of rice, 76.78 million tonnes of wheat, 39.67 million tonnes of coarse cereals and 15.19 million tonnes of pulses. Oilseeds production during 2007-08 is estimated at 28.21 million tonnes with groundnut estimated at 8.87 million tonnes, soyabean at 9.43 million tonnes and rapeseed & mustard at 6.43 million tonnes. Production of cotton is estimated at 23.19 million bales of 170 kg each. Production of sugarcane is estimated at 344.23 million tonnes during 2007-08.

As compared to 2006-07, rice production is estimated to increase by about 2 million tonnes, wheat by about 1 million tonne, coarse cereals by about 6 million tonnes (mainly contributed by maize) and pulses by about 1 million tonne  during 2007-08. The oilseeds production is estimated to increase by about 4 million tonnes (mainly contributed by groundnut) and cotton by about 6 lakh bales during 2007-08 over 2006-07.

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We wish that these data must be proven as correct and not to suffer any natural or artificial calamity. We also wish that the rate of inflation will come down in due course.

Agricultural production estimates report record outputs across major crops, signaling strengthened domestic supply and policy relevance. The Department released 3rd Advance Estimates for 2007-08 showing record production across major crops: historic total foodgrains with rice, wheat, coarse cereals (notably maize) and pulses at all time highs; oilseeds (groundnut, soyabean, rapeseed & mustard), cotton and sugarcane also reported at elevated production levels, based on state feedback validated with other sources and compared against the prior year.