Foodgrains production to exceed 250 mln tons this yr: Pawar

New Delhi, Jan 30 (PTI) India's foodgrains production is likely to be more than 250 million tonnes in 2012-13, lower than last year's record but sufficient to meet the domestic demand, Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar said today. The final estimate of foodgrains production for the last year has been revised upward marginally to a record 259 million tonnes, he said. "Total foodgrains production in the 2012-13 crop year (July-June) will definitely be above 250 million tonnes and not 255 or 259 million tonnes. 250 million tonnes of output is huge enough to meet the domestic requirement," Pawar told PTI. The availability of foodgrains would not be a problem but storage issues need to be addressed as rice procurement in the 2012-13 kharif season has risen by 10 per cent, he said. Sharing about progress of ongoing rabi crops sowing, Pawar said though total area under rabi crops like cereals has been less so far, but acreage under pulses is higher. However, the real setback is the drought seen in Maharashtra, parts of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. On wheat crop, Pawar said: "The crop condition is extremely good. Area is more in Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh. We will definitely achieve wheat production close to last year's level." The country had harvested a bumper wheat of 93.90 million tonnes in 2011-12 crop year (July-June). On crop situation in Maharashtra, the Minister said, "Marathwada and Pune region in the state is severely affected by drought. I have not seen this type of drought in my life. Drinking water is a problem. I heard drinking water is supplied once in 14 days. So bad is the situation." Stating that his ministry has revised last year's foodgrains production slightly upward, Pawar said: "I have got the final estimate of last year's production. It is increased marginally to 259 million tonnes from 257.44 million tonnes."