Govt estimates kharif crop output slightly lower at 140.57 MT for 2019-20

The country's foodgrains production is estimated slightly lower at 140.57 million tonnes in the kharif season of 2019-20 crop year on likely fall in rice and pulses output, according to a latest data released by the Agriculture Ministry.

Foodgrains production stood at 141.71 million tonnes (MT) in the kharif season of the 2018-19 crop year (July-June).

Sowing of the kharif (summer) crops is almost complete and harvesting will begin from October onwards.

Rice, pulses and coarse cereals comprise of the foodgrain basket. The ministry releases four estimates at different stages of production and harvest.

As per the first estimate, rice output has been pegged at 100.35 million tonnes for the kharif season of the 2019-20 crop year, lower than 102.13 million tonnes in the year-ago period.

Pulses production has been estimated to be lower at 8.23 million tonnes as against 8.59 million tonnes.

The production of coarse cereals, however, has been estimated higher at 32 million tonnes in the ...