Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar expressed satisfaction over food grain stock in India maintaining that stock is more than sufficient for 13 months in case of any exigency.

He, however, admitted that there is delay in sowing due to poor or below average monsoon that can affect yield crop production for the current crop season that begins in June and will be harvested in October-November.

The minister informed parliament that total area under cultivation has declined to 432.26 lakh hectare (LH) as compared to 484.37 LH last year given the poor monsoon.

The country received 220.5mm rainfall by now as compared to the normal rainfall of 300.8 mm, affecting 369 out of 533 meteorological districts of the country.

Meanwhile, area under paddy cultivation has reduced to 114.63 LH against 145.21 LH in the corresponding period last year. Area under coarse cereals also declined to 101.90 LH from 116.05 LH that may further push food inflation rate, according to economists.

Area under jowar, bajra and maize too declined to 17.16, 46.01 and 47.41 lakh hectares respectively under deficient rainfall conditions prevailing in many parts of the country.

Mr. Pawar said, "As per the fourth advance estimates, the domestic production of pulses has declined to 14.66 million tonnes during 2008-09, compared to 14.76 million tonnes during 2007-08, leading to a supply-demand mismatch."