India's agricultural output declined during the year 2002-03 to 183 million tonne compared to 212 million tonne produced in previous year, a drop of 13.9 per cent, according to the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy.

The drought has affected bajra, small millet, ragi and maize crop and production of cereals is placed at 171.71 million tonne, 14 per cent lower than 198.8 million tonne recorded in 2001-02, CMIE said in its monthly (March) economic review on Tuesday.

The non-food crops are estimated to fall by 8.9 per cent in 2002-03 compared to 4.8 per cent growth in last fiscal, it added.

According to government figures, the foodgrain production in Rabi season is likely to be 92.91 million tonne compared to 90.26 million tonne in kharif season of FY-03, CMIE said, adding that this is the first year when Rabi production would be more than kharif.

The drop in production of Rabi crop was largely due to fall in area sown during the season with total cultivated area estimated at 5.355 million hectare which is 7 per cent lower than the normal coverage, it said.