NEW DELHI: Government on Thursday said the country's total foodgrain production may touch a record 216.13 million tons in 2006-07 season, with an estimated increase of 5.5 million tons in wheat output.
Releasing the fourth advance estimate of crop production, Agriculture Secretary P K Mishra said the final estimation would be released in January next year.
The fourth estimate revised wheat output upwards to 74.89 million tons in 2006-07 against 69.35 million tons produced last year while the third estimate pegged the production at 73.7 million tons.
"Unless there is some major change in any crop, the fourth advance estimate gi clear picture of the country's agricultural production," a government official said.
The estimate is based on the crop cutting experiment which was complete by 70-75 per cent when data was collected, the secretary said.
He said the main reason for the increased wheat output is the rise in its cultivation area, besides an increase in the productivity level.
The wheat acreage in 2006-07 went up by six per cent to 280.35 lakh hectare, compared to 264.83 lakh hectare in the previous year, he said, adding that the productivity level also increased to 2,671 kg per hectare from 2,619 kg per hectare.
Rice production would be up by 1.1 per cent to 92.76 million tons from 91.79 million tons in 2005-06, according to the fourth estimate.
The estimate also pegged a higher production for pulses, sugarcane, cotton, jute and coarse cereals like maize, jowar and bajra.
Releasing the fourth advance estimate of crop production, Agriculture Secretary P K Mishra said the final estimation would be released in January next year.
The fourth estimate revised wheat output upwards to 74.89 million tons in 2006-07 against 69.35 million tons produced last year while the third estimate pegged the production at 73.7 million tons.
"Unless there is some major change in any crop, the fourth advance estimate gi clear picture of the country's agricultural production," a government official said.
The estimate is based on the crop cutting experiment which was complete by 70-75 per cent when data was collected, the secretary said.
He said the main reason for the increased wheat output is the rise in its cultivation area, besides an increase in the productivity level.
The wheat acreage in 2006-07 went up by six per cent to 280.35 lakh hectare, compared to 264.83 lakh hectare in the previous year, he said, adding that the productivity level also increased to 2,671 kg per hectare from 2,619 kg per hectare.
Rice production would be up by 1.1 per cent to 92.76 million tons from 91.79 million tons in 2005-06, according to the fourth estimate.
The estimate also pegged a higher production for pulses, sugarcane, cotton, jute and coarse cereals like maize, jowar and bajra.