India’s foodgrain production for this year’s kharif season is estimated to go up by nearly 6 per cent to 114.63 million tonnes, Parliament was informed on Tuesday.

“As per the first advance estimates for Kharif 2010, the foodgrains production is estimated to be 114.63 million tonnes against 103.84 million tonnes as per fourth advance estimates for kharif 2009,” Minister of state for Agriculture K V Thomas said in a written reply to the Lok Sabha. 

The minister said that in view of higher procurement last year as well as this year, the stocks available in the central pool are adequate to meet the requests of foodgrain under public distribution system. 

In a response to another query, Thomas said rice production during the season is estimated to be 80.4 million tonnes, against 75.9 million tonnes in 2009. 

The production of pulses is estimated to be 6 million tonnes as against 4.3 million tonnes last year, and of sugar to go up to 324.91 million tonnes as against 277.75 million tonnes last year.