'India Shining' and so are farms

Author: Times News Network
Publication: The Times of India
Date: February 18, 2004
URL: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/503304.cms

For the ruling coalition, it couldn't have been better timed. On Tuesday, agriculture secretary R C A Jain released rosy estimates on food production inching ahead to "all-time highs" or nearly as close.
 
So, overall foodgrain production estimates are now pitched at a record 212.20 million tonnes, "marginally" over the earlier record of 212.02 million tonnes. If the weather gods keep smiling, the figures could get better.
 
Adding sheen to the "India Shining" campaign, the nine oilseeds are set to break the record with 24.98 million ton-nes, up from a previous best of 24.75 million tonnes. Even pulses are inching towards a record 14.91 million tonnes, with an estimate of 14.42 million tonnes. BJP campaign managers can be expected to flaunt these figures to cou-nter suggestions that the countryside is not shining.
 

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