New Delhi: Foodgrain output is estimated to touch an all time record of 211.17 million tonnes in 2001-02, about 15.25 million tonnes more than last year's production, it was officially announced on April 5.

Performance of foodgrains production is led by an impressive rice output which is expected to be 90.75 million tonnes, about 5.88 million tonnes more than last year's level of 84.87 million tonnes.

As per the third advance estimates released at the end of the two-day National Conference on Kharif Campaign here, the production of wheat at 73.53 million tonnes is expected to be higher by 4.77 million tonnes compared to last year's.

One significant feature of the current performance is that the targets of production of coarse cereals as a group have been accomplished and the country is expected to achieve a production of 33.10 million tonnes against the target of 33.00 million tonnes.

Indian agriculture is likely to reach new heights now surpassing the record output of 209.80 million tonnes achieved in 1999-2000, an official release said.

PTI