Government Estimates Record 376.56 Million Tonnes Foodgrain Production in 2025-26, Up 5.3% From Last Year

Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan has released the Third Advance Estimates of production of major agricultural crops for 2025-26, projecting a record foodgrain output of 376.563 million tonnes.

According to the estimates, the country’s total foodgrain production is expected to be nearly 18.8 million tonnes, or 5.3 percent, higher than last year’s output of 357.732 million tonnes. This is the highest foodgrain production ever recorded in India. 

Sharing the crop-wise estimates, the Agriculture Minister said rice production is projected at a record 154.024 million tonnes, wheat at 120.657 million tonnes and maize at an all-time high of 55.093 million tonnes. Production of Shree Anna (nutri-cereals/millets) is estimated at 17.584 million tonnes, while tur production is pegged at 3.592 million tonnes, gram at 12.514 million tonnes and lentil at 1.762 million tonnes.

Total oilseeds production is estimated at 43.059 million tonnes. Groundnut production is projected to touch a record 13.074 million tonnes, soybean output is estimated at 12.596 million tonnes and rapeseed-mustard production is likely to reach a record 13.768 million tonnes. Sugarcane production is estimated at a record 500.063 million tonnes, while cotton production is pegged at 29.024 million bales and jute at 9.176 million bales.

The minister said rice production is expected to rise by 3.84 million tonnes over last year’s 150.184 million tonnes, while wheat output is projected to increase by 2.712 million tonnes compared to 117.945 million tonnes in 2024-25. Maize production is estimated to rise sharply by 11.684 million tonnes from last year’s 43.409 million tonnes. Total production of nutritious and coarse cereals is estimated at 74.472 million tonnes.

Among pulses, gram production is estimated to increase by 1.4 million tonnes over last year, while tur output is expected to remain almost stable. In oilseeds, groundnut production is estimated to increase by 1.132 million tonnes over the previous year, while rapeseed and mustard production is projected to rise by 1.101 million tonnes.

Among commercial crops, sugarcane production is estimated to rise by 45.452 million tonnes over last year’s output of 454.611 million tonnes.

Chouhan said the estimates reflect a strong production outlook for foodgrains, cereals, oilseeds and commercial crops, with several crops expected to achieve record output levels.

The minister also highlighted the role of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) in boosting agricultural production through climate-resilient crop varieties, rainfed farming technologies and wider dissemination of scientific practices among farmers.

He said initiatives under the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan helped strengthen agricultural practices through direct outreach by scientists, while climate-smart technologies, improved crop production methods and scientific advisory services contributed to higher productivity.

In 2025-26, ICAR released 339 crop varieties suited to different agro-climatic regions, including cereals, pulses, oilseeds, commercial and fodder crops. During 2024-25, breeder seed production reached 109,370.2 quintals, while quality seed production stood at 433,114.7 quintals.

The minister added that innovations in soil and water management, climate-smart agriculture, digital soil intelligence and sustainable farming technologies have significantly contributed to higher agricultural output in the country.