India's Rabi Pulse Crop Up 13%

VANCOUVER - Feb 14/09 - SNS -- Pulse production in India is expected to be down 4.5% on account of last summer's 25% drop in kharif season pulse output, according to production estimates from India's Agriculture Department.

"Total food grain production for (2008-09) is estimated at 227.88 million MT comprising 98.89 million MT of rice, 77.78 million MT of wheat, 36.96 million MT of coarse cereals and 14.25 million MT of pulses," reports India Agriculture department.

"Oilseeds production during 2008-09 is estimated at 25.96 million MT with groundnut estimated at 6.62 million MT, soybean at 9.05 million MT and rapeseed/mustard at 6.98 million MT. Production of cotton is estimated at 22.17 million bales of 170 kg each. Production of sugarcane is estimated at 290.45 million MT during 2008-09.

"As compared to 2007-08, rice production is estimated to increase by about 2.196 million MT, which is all time record; gram is estimated to increase by 789,000 MT; rapeseed/mustard by 1.142 million MT; and jute by about 34,000 MT."