Major crop output may decline by 2.3% during FY 13

MUMBAI: As India saw poor kharif sowing on weak monsoon, major crop production may slip by 2.3% during fiscal 2012-13, according to economic think tank Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE).

CMIE said in its report, “Major crop production is projected to fall by 2.3 per cent in 2012-13. We have revised the magnitude of fall from 0.5 per cent to a steeper 2.3 per cent. A change in base, along with poor kharif sowings have prompted the downward revision.”

By August 3, Kharif sowings slipped by 9.2% to 735 lakh hectares.

The weak progression of the south-west monsoon has impacted sowings of all prominent crops, except for sugarcane.

Bajra output may fall by more than 20% to 8 million tonnes since the acreage slipped by 27% to 46 lakh hectares.