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NON-FOOD CROPS PRODUCTION EXCEEDS TARGET : ECONOMIC SURVEY
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The production of non-food crops, particularly sugarcane, cotton and jute (including mesta) exceeded both the targets and the levels achieved in the previous year. In the current year, as per the second advance estimates of crops’ production, a shortfall is expected in rabi crops. The Economic Survey 2007-08 presented in Parliament today by the Finance Minister, Shri P. Chidambaram has stated that the overall foodgrains production in 2007-08 is expected to fall short of the target by 2.2 million tonnes though it is expected to be 10.1 million tonnes higher compared to the second estimates for 2006-07. Production of sugarcane is estimated to exceed the target, though it will be lower than the previous year. A shortfall of 2.8 million tonnes (10%) is expected in the production of oilseeds compared to the target though it is still expected to be higher by 2.9 million tonnes compared to the final estimates of 2006-07.
The overall production of foodgrains was estimated at 217.3 million tonnes in 2006-07, an increase of 4.2% over 2005-06. The Survey, however, pointed out that compared to the target set for 2006-07, it was lower by 2.7 million tonnes. The increase in production in 2006-07 was largely because of higher production of wheat by 6.5 million tonnes (9.3%) and of pulses by 0.8 million tonnes (6%). There was a decline in production of oilseeds (3.7 million tonnes or 13%) compared to the production in 2005-06.
The actual production of foodgrains on an average was 93% of the target. Production of sugarcane and cotton, however, overachieved their respective targets in 2005-06 and 2006-07.
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