India Sees Record 2007-08 Pulse Harvest

VANCOUVER - Apr 22/08 - SNS -- India's rabi or winter season pulse harvest is not as bad as expected, according to the latest crop production estimates from the country's agriculture department.

Some market participants had been talking about the chance of a million ton decline in the rabi season harvest, but India's Department of Agriculture and Cooperation third Advance Estimates of production of major crops grown in the country pegged the decline from last year at just 600,000 metric tons (MT), which was more than offset by a larger kharif or monsoon season harvest last year.

Highlights of these estimates are:

- Foodgrains production at 227.32 million MT during 2007-08 is estimated to be an all time record.

- Rice production at 95.68 million MT during 2007-08 is estimated to be an all time record.

- Wheat production at 76.78 million MT during 2007-08 is estimated to be an all time record.

- Coarse Cereals production at 39.67 million MT during 2007-08 is estimated to be an all time record.

- Maize production at 18.54 million MT during 2007-08 is estimated to be an all time record.

- Pulses production at 15.19 million MT during 2007-08 is estimated to be an all time record.

- Tur production at 3.03 million MT during 2007-08 is estimated to be an all time record.

- Urad production at 1.56 million MT during 2007-08 is estimated to be an all time record.

- Oilseeds production at 28.21 million MT during 2007-08 is estimated to be an all time record.

- Soybean production at 9.43 million MT during 2007-08 is estimated to be an all time record.

- Cotton production at 23.19 million bales of 170 kg each is estimated to be an all time record.

As per the third Advance Estimates for 2007-08, total foodgrains production is estimated at 227.32 million MT comprising 95.68 million MT of rice, 76.78 million MT of wheat, 39.67 million MT of coarse cereals and 15.19 million MT of pulses. Oilseeds production during 2007-08 is estimated at 28.21 million MT with groundnut estimated at 8.87 million MT, soybean at 9.43 million MT and rapeseed & mustard at 6.43 million MT. Production of cotton is estimated at 23.19 million bales of 170 kg each. Production of sugarcane is estimated at 344.23 million MT during 2007-08.

As compared to 2006-07, rice production is estimated to increase by about 2 million MT, wheat by about 1 million MT, coarse cereals by about 6 million MT (mainly contributed by maize) and pulses by about 1 million MT during 2007-08. The oilseeds production is estimated to increase by about 4 million MT (mainly contributed by groundnut) and cotton by about 600,000 bales during 2007-08 over 2006-07.

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