Maharashtra's Cereal output to fall by 41%

Maharashtra's production of cereals is set to plummet by as much as 41% and oilseeds by 56% in the recently concluded rabi season on account of the fierce drought in the state. The production of rabi pulses is also expected to fall by 30% compared to 2014-15, according to the latest government estimates.
The kharif or monsoon crop, which is the main crop in the state, has also been impacted. The state is expecting a 28% drop in the the output of kharif foodgrains this year. In 2014-15, kharif foodgrain production was 98 lakh tonnes. It is expected to fall to 70 lakh tonnes in 2015-16. Maharashtra produces roughly 10% of the foodgrains in the country .Cash crops during the kharif season also witnessed a decline with sugarcane production expected to fall by 19% compared to 2014-15. However, cotton production will go up by as much as 11%, according to the estimates.
These figures were revealed during a review meeting conducted by the state government on Thursday to prepare for the next kharif season, which will begin with the monsoon. Over the last year, the state had an average of only 59.4% rainfall but officials said they are hoping for a better forecast this June.