FAO/GIEWS - Foodcrops and Shortages 06/02 - INDIA (4 June)
Harvesting of the wheat crop is almost complete and sowing of the coarse grain and Kharif rice, oilseeds and groundnuts crops, for harvest from September, has begun. Reflecting favourable growing conditions, the output from the 2002 wheat crop is officially estimated at 73.5 million tonnes, higher than both the 2001 harvest of some 68.8 million tonnes and the 1997-2001 average of 70.3 million tonnes. Coarse grains production in 2002 is tentatively forecast at 33 million tonnes, some 2 million tonnes more than last year.
Production of Rabi and Kharif paddy crops in 2001 is estimated at record 136 million tonnes, 8.9 million tonnes higher than the previous year and above average. The early outlook is for a similar size crop in 2002.
Reflecting consecutive above average cereal harvests in recent years, the overall food supply situation is satisfactory and cereal stocks have increased to record levels. As of 1 March 2002 government stocks of wheat and rice stood at 28.46 million tonnes and 25.97 million tonnes respectively, sharply higher than the total buffer requirement of 16.8 million tonnes. In an effort to promote exports and reduce stocks, the Government in early March lifted the quantitative restrictions on exports of wheat and wheat products and increased the minimum support price of wheat.