Cereals output down 1.5 per cent, rice by 2.5 per cent in 2004-05: Study

The erratic monsoon has resulted a shift in the sowing pattern with an increasing number of farmers opting for high yield cash rich commercial crops instead of the traditional foodgrains whose production is expected to fall this year, according to a study by industry body Assocham. Total cereals production during 2004-05 might decline by 1.5 per cent while there will be an increased output of cash rich crops like pulses, safflower, jute, coffee, rubber, sweet potato and onions by over 2.0, 1.5, 2.5, 9.0, 4.5, 4.5 and 2.8 per cent respectively.

The study showed a net decline in rice output by over 2.5 per cent in 2004-05.

The normal area allocated under kharif crops cultivation is 606 lakh hectares for cereals production. Of this, the area sown was 377.8 lakh hectares in August 2003 which further dipped to 335.2 lakh hecatares in August 2004, the study said.

Similarly, the normal rice acreage in the country is 406 lakh hectares but rice was sown in only 199.5 lakh hectares in August 2003 and 199 lakh hectares this year.

On the other side, total area under pulses increased by 39 per cent to 89.9 lakh hectares in August 2004 from 64.5 lakh hectares a year ago. Acreage of sunflower seeds has also doubled to 6.2 lakh hectares from three lakh hectares in August 2003, the study said.

However, crops like sugarcane and bajra would see lower production as their acreage has fallen this year due to poor monsoon, the study added.

Source: PTI, August 30' 2004