The agriculture scene looks upbeat. In 2006-7, Rabi production of 105.6 million tonnes surpassed the previous record of 104.3 million tonnes set in 1999-2000. Now, the country is likely to witness a record production of soyabean, cotton, maize and sugarcane in the current Kharif season. The increase in rice output, however, is expected to be marginal.

In 2007-8 Kharif season, foodgrain production is estimated at 112.24 million tonnes. The Government is also aiming high for the next Rabi season.

A two-day Rabi conference, that concluded on Wednesday, discussed strategies for increasing production by way of increased area coverage and productivity.

Rice production is expected to remain at last year’s level of 80 million tonnes. Experts are confident that there would be no fall in rice production, a major Kharif crop. Coarse cereal production, at 26.58 million tonnes, is expected to increase by 9 lakh tonnes. Pulse production, at 5.51 million tonnes in 2006-7, is expected to be up by 7.7 lakh tonnes.

Oilseeds production will increase by 2.2 million tonnes. It is at 16.13 million tonnes. Groundnut production, at 5.18 million tonnes, is expected to be up by 1.9 million tonnes. Soyabean, cotton and maize will also all go up by record numbers.

Wheat remains an area of concern for the coming season. The Government is trying to distribute a high-yielding seed variety to bridge the demand-supply gap.

Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, P K Mishra said despite these landmarks in production during 2006-7, there was “little room for complacency on these achievements” and that production was not keeping pace with demand, especially in oilseeds and pulses.