Poor monsoon in India,UN revises rice yield forecast

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation has cut its global forecast for rice paddy production this year by 7.8 million tonnes to 724.5 million tonnes

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation has cut its global forecast for rice paddy production this year by 7.8 million tonnes to 724.5 million tonnes the downward revision mainly because of less-than-average monsoon rainfall in India which is likely to affect the countrys output this season.

In a statement earlier this month,the FAO said global paddy production is expected to total 724.5 million tonnes as against the original forecast in April of 732.3 million tonnes. The downward revision was mainly the result of a 22 per cent lower-than-average monsoon rainfall in India through mid-July,which is likely to reduce output in the country this season, it said.

The FAO revision comes days after Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar said that maintaining 4 per cent agriculture growth would be a challenge this year because of weak monsoons.

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India produced 252.56 million tonnes of foodgrain in 2011-12 crop year with wheat and rice production 104.32 million tonnes of rice as against 95.98 million tonnes in the previous year surpassing previous levels.

After announcing that the rainfall this monsoon would be around 99 per cent,the Meteorological Department made a downward revision,saying rainfall during June-September period will be less than 90 per cent of average. The deficient monsoon has also shown signs of taking a toll on agricultural operations.

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