Basmati Rice Production to Fall by 9.24 % to 5.18 Million Metric Tonne: NBHC

The National Bulk Handling Corporation (NBHC) has released the final kharif crop estimates for the year 2018-19, which shows that production of basmati rice is likely to fall by 9.24 percent to 5.18 million metric tonne.

Head of research & development at NBHC, Dr Hanish Kumar Sinha told that the pulses production is expected to plunge marginally to 9.10 million tonne from 9.35 million tonne last year. He said this is mainly because of the fall in Urad production by 10.11 % largely due to the shift in acreage towards soybean in some parts of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh.

Sinha further said the overall production of oilseeds is estimated to be 19.87 million metric tonne that is 5.36 percent lower than last year's figure of 21 million metric tonne. Meanwhile, other oilseed like Niger is expected to increase by 11.83 %.  

NBHC said cotton crop is been badly affected due to fluctuating weather conditions. It added that the yearly cotton productivity in India can drop 4.57 % due to insufficient rainfall in the top two producing states i.e. Gujarat and Maharashtra.

Sugarcane is likely to rise marginally by 3.25 % on increased sowing. And last but not the least Jute and Mesta is expected to improve slightly by 5.11 % amidst favourable weather conditions.      

The table below shows the details of the final estimate for the 2018-19 Kharif crop: