NEW DELHI: Backed by consistent progress in sowing of kharif crops, the Centre on Monday said it was hopeful of achieving its record foodgrain production target of 291 million tonnes in the 2019-20 crop year (July-June) even as floods in some parts hit the summer crops. It is expected that light rains of short duration, as predicted in subdued monsoon phase in the coming weeks, will prove beneficial for standing crops at this stage.
"There will be some impact of floods on the production. However, the loss will be recovered," said Union agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar on sidelines of an ICAR event.
The ministry has set the production target for foodgrains at a record 291 MT for the current crop year as compared to output of nearly 285 million tonnes in 2018-19.
Officials believe that the loss in production of kharif (summer sown) crops due to floods in certain parts of the country will be recovered in output of rabi (winter sown) crops. Good rains in July-August will help soil to retain moisture for longer period, helping winter sown crops such as wheat and pulses during November-February period.
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