FAO/GIEWS - Foodcrops & Shortages 06/99 - INDIA (2 June)
High temperatures in late April/early May affected the rice and vegetable crop in parts, but greatly benefited harvesting of maturing wheat and oilseed crops. Early projections from the country's Meteorological Department forecast normal monsoon rains in 1999, which begin in the last week of May in the south and cover the entire country by September. The performance of the monsoon is essential for kharif rice and coarse grains crops. As a result of favourable weather, the 1999 estimate of wheat production has been revised up to a record 72.8 million tonnes, almost 2 million tonnes higher than earlier forecast and around 7 million tonnes or 10 percent higher than 1998. The previous record for wheat production was in 1997, when 69 million tonnes were produced. Due to improved production prospects, the wholesale price of wheat in Delhi and Bombay dropped appreciably.
Due to increased wheat and rice production, aggregate 1998/99 food grain production is estimated at over 201 million tonnes, 3 percent above an earlier projection and some 10 million tonnes higher than the previous year.
The Food Corporation of India (FCI) has already procured 12.94 million tonnes of wheat from farmers for the 1999/2000 marketing year (April-March), the highest level in 10 years. The final estimate of procurement is likely to be a record 14 million tonnes. In addition, the quality of wheat procured is reported to be exceptionally good, due to low moisture levels. The Government recently approved the export of up to one million tonnes of wheat.
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