(a) whether India`s rice production is likely to drop between 10 million to 80 million
tonnes during the current year making it the lowest Indian harvest in seven years;
(b) if so, whether this may affect the Indian exports in 2002-2003;
(c) if so, the reasons for this shortfall;
(d) the steps being taken by the Government in this regard;
(e) whether the Government propose to balance this shortfall by increasing wheat
production; and
(f) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI AJIT SINGH)
(a) to (f): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFFERED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (f) OF LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. 373 DUE FOR REPLY ON 16TH DECEMBER, 2002.
(a): As per the First Advance Estimates of agricultural production for 2002-03 released
on 12.11.2002, the production of rice during kharif 2002-03 is likely to be 66.86 million
tonnes which is lower by 12.50 million tonnes or 15.75% than the estimated production of
kharif rice of 79.36 million tonnes in 2001-02. Assuming that this year`s rabi rice
production would not be less than last year`s rabi rice production of 12.25 million tonnes,
the total rice production during 2002-03 may touch the level of around 80 million tonnes,
which is lower by around 12 million tonnes as compared to last year`s production of 91.61
million tonnes. The total production of rice in the country during last 7 years including
2002-03 is given below:-
Production of Rice (in million tonnes)
Year Production
1996-97 81.73 1997-98 82.54 1998-99 86.08 1999-2000 89.68 2000-01 84.87 2001-02@ 91.61 2002-03 (kharif only)# 66.86 @ Fourth Advance Estimates as on 27.06.2002. # First Advance Estimates as on 12.11.2002.