Food prices might continue to be high as Government has projected a decline in food grain production by 7.51 percent in 2009-10. With persistent high food inflation coupled with decline in food grain production and high priced import, price of essential commodities is likely to increase. Compared to a production of 234.47 million tones in 2008-09, this year’s projection is around 216.85 million tones due to the worst drought in 30 years during the Kharif season.
Staple food grain production grown in Kharif season is the worst hit. Rice production is estimated to be 87.56 million tones compared to 99.18 million tones last year. Total coarse cereals output is estimated to 34.27 million tones, 5.76 million tones lesser than last year’s 40.03 million tones. Except pulses production which is slightly higher at 14.74 million tones compared to 14.57 million tones last year, oilseed and sugarcane production is also expected to be lower.
Production of wheat, grown mainly in the rabi (winter) season, is projected at 80.28 million tones, as compared with 80.68 million tones in 2008-2009. If weather conditions are favorable the production of rabi crops is likely to increase further. The projected shrinkage in agriculture and allied activities is 0.2 per cent in the current fiscal as against 1.6 per cent a year ago. Agriculture sector had posted a meager 2.5 percent growth rate during the 10th Five Year Plan (2002-2007)
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