Date:15/09/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/09/15/stories/2005091501661200.htm

Back Kharif output prospects bright, says Pawar

Our Bureau

New Delhi , Sept. 14

GOOD rains in several parts of the country have brightened the prospects of a higher production this year compared with last year, the Union Agriculture and Food Minister, Mr Sharad Pawar, has said.

"By and large, rains have been good so far. The overall crop situation is looking good," he said at a press conference on Tuesday.

While the area under crops such as rice, cotton, pulses, sugarcane and cereals are higher than last year, oilseeds sowing coverage so far has been lower than last year.

"There's going to be shortfall in oilseeds output," Mr Pawar said, without giving providing further details. He said cotton production was expected to be higher than last year as area under Bt cotton had increased to a large extent.