India’s Foodgrain Output Hits Record High, Cotton Production Drops: Govt Estimates

The Union Ministry of Agriculture has released the third advance estimates for agricultural production for the year 2024–25. Record production is estimated for paddy, wheat, maize, groundnut, and soybean in the country.

Union Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, while releasing the estimates, stated that the country has witnessed a record increase in foodgrain production, which has risen by 6.5% to reach 353.959 million tonnes. He attributed this achievement to the tireless efforts of farmers, the expertise of agricultural scientists, farmer-friendly policies and schemes of the central government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and the cooperation of state governments.

According to the advance estimates, rice production in 2024–25 is expected to be 149.074 million tonnes (record), wheat 117.507 million tonnes (record), maize 42.281 million tonnes (record), and millets (Shree Anna) 18.015 million tonnes. The total production of coarse/nutritious cereals is estimated at 62.140 million tonnes, which is 5.204 million tonnes more than last year.

Among pulses, production of arhar (tur) is estimated at 3.561 million tonnes, chickpea at 11.337 million tonnes, and moong at 3.819 million tonnes. However, urad production has declined from 2.319 million tonnes last year to 2.106 million tonnes. The total pulses production in the country is expected to increase by around 1 million tonnes to reach 25.238 million tonnes.

Total oilseeds production is estimated at 42.609 million tonnes, which is 2.94 million tonnes more than last year’s 39.669 million tonnes. Soybean production is expected to reach a record 15.180 million tonnes, and groundnut production a record 11.896 million tonnes, up by 2.118 million tonnes and 1.716 million tonnes, respectively, compared to the previous year. However, rapeseed-mustard production has declined from 13.259 million tonnes to 12.606 million tonnes.

In 2024–25, sugarcane production registered a slight decline and stood at 450.116 million tonnes. However, due to a drop in sugarcane output in several states, the country’s sugar production has declined by nearly 18%. This has raised questions over the sugarcane output data released by the agriculture ministry.

Cotton production in the country has also been hit, falling from 32.522 million bales to 30.692 million bales (each bale weighing 170 kilograms). This marks the second consecutive year of decline in cotton production.