Latest estimates suggest that in the third quarter of 2018-19 (October-December), agriculture and allied activities grew at 2.7 per cent as against 4.6 per cent during the same period last year. The situation wouldn’t be any better for the full year in 2018-19, when the growth in agriculture and allied activities was estimated the same, 2.7 per cent, down from 5 per cent in fiscal 2017-18.
“Low monsoon and post-monsoon rains have pulled down post-kharif and rabi production, which is being reflected in the GDP numbers,” Madan Sabnavis, chief economist, CARE Ratings, has been quoted as saying. Data show, India’s wheat production in the 2018-19 rabi season is expected to be 99.12 million tonnes, marginally less than 99.7 million tonnes last year, though rice production is estimated to touch a record 115.6 million tonnes in 2018-19, from 112.91 million tonnes in the previous year.
At the same time, India is expected to harvest a lower rapeseed and gram crop in this rabi season, as the monsoon rainfall has been less than normal by almost 9 per cent. The pulses output estimated to be at 24.02 million tonnes from the last year’s record 25.23 million tonnes during the same period. Among non-foodgrain crops, total oilseeds production during 2018-19 is estimated at 31.5 million tonnes as against 31.3 million tonnes in the previous year.
Sugarcane output is estimated at 380.83 million tonnes from 376.9 million tonnes. The production of cotton has been pegged lower at 30.09 million bales (of 170 kg each) from 34.88 million bales, while jute and mesta output is seen at 10.07 million bales (of 180 kg each) against 10.13 million bales.
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