Record foodgrains output expected in 2017-18 despite decline in wheat, oilseeds

New Delhi, Feb 27: The total foodgrains output for 2017-18 is estimated at a record 277.49 million tonnes despite expected decline in the production of wheat and oilseeds, as per the 2nd Advance Estimates of Foodgrains Production released by the Union Agriculture Ministry here on Tuesday.

Last year’s total foodgrains output was 275.11 million tonnes.
The output of wheat is expected to be lower by 1.40 million tonnes compared to the previous best of 98.51 million tonnes in 2016-17. This year wheat output is expected to be 97.11 million tonnes mainly because of lower sown area.
Coarse cereals output is estimated at a record 45.42 million tonnes against 43.77 million tonnes last year, while total oilseeds output is expected to be 29.88 million tonnes which is lower by 1.39 million tonnes than last year. 
The output of rice is expected to be 109.70 million tonnes, 1.31 million tonnes higher than last year.
The total pulses production is likely to be a record 23.95 million compared to 23.13 million tonnes last year.
With a significant increase of 47.16 million tonnes over 2016-17, the total production of sugarcane is estimated at 353.23 million tonnes. 
Cotton output at 33.92 million bales (of 170 kg each) is higher than the previous year’s production of 32.58 million bales. 
Jute and Mesta output is estimated at 10.51 million bales (of 180 kg each) is lower than during 2016-17. UNI