Unpredictable monsoon threatens corn production
Although increased sowing is being reported across India, an unpredictable monsoon is set to affect corn production. It has been predicted that corn production will be near to 20 million tonnes which is the lowest it has been in the last five years, despite the amount of corn sown being 7.59 million hectares, which is greater than the 7.46 million hectares of last year.

KOLKATA: Erratic monsoon this year will hit corn production despite higher sowing reported across growing regions in India, according to Shashin Desai executive director (business development), Anil Ltd. Corn has been sown in 7.59 million hectares as on September 11, 2015 as compared to 7.46 million hectares last year, as per the data from Department of Agriculture & Cooperation.Corn production is expected to be around 20 million tonnes, lowest in last five years due to irregular rainfall across growing regions of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh , Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. Last year, the production was 23.67 million tonnes as per fourth advance estimates of Department of Agriculture & Cooperation, Government of India. Due to lower production estimates, the price of corn is likely to remain firm.Explaining the domestic situation, Mr Desai said, “The production is likely to be hit as yield in growing regions have fallen this year compared to last year. Erratic monsoon this year has impacted yield and quality of crop. Though the new crop would put pressure on the price in next month; the prices are likely to remain firm thereafter as production is expected to fall by around 20%."Mr. Desai said corn prices have fallen globally due to sustained higher ending stocks since last couple of years. “USA has seen their reserves swell to its highest in last 28 years due to which their ending stocks are also likely to remain high. But, lower domestic supply in India would support the prices going forward,” Mr. Desai added.According to latest report by Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations , international food commodity prices continued to decline in August as ample supplies, a slump in energy prices and concerns over China's economic slowdown all contributed to the sharpest fall of the FAO Food Price Index in almost seven years.“Due to lower prices of corn internationally, export of corn is not viable this year as domestic price is higher compared to international prices. We believe lower exports would support lower domestic production this year and thereby check higher prices,” Mr. Desai said.