Agriculture Ministry estimates record food grain output

The country’s total food grain production for 2023-24 is estimated to reach a record 3,322.98 lakh metric tonne (LMT) which is higher by 26.11 LMT than the last financial year’s production of 3,296.87 LMT. The overall rise in food grain production is attributed to the increased output of rice, wheat, and millets. Rice production reached an all-time high of 1,378.25 LMT, while wheat output also set a record at 1,132.92 LMT.

The Union Agriculture Ministry has estimates record food grain production for the financial year 2023–24, despite expected declines in the production of pulses, oilseeds, and sugarcane. 

The fourth and final estimates released by the Ministry on September 25, 2024, indicate total food grain production at 3,322.98 lakh metric tonnes (LMT), 26.11 LMT higher than the previous year’s 3,296.87 LMT. This increase is mainly due to higher production of rice, wheat, and millets.

Rice production is estimated at 1,378.25 LMT, which is 20.70 LMT more than last year’s 1,357.55 LMT. Wheat output is expected to reach 1,132.92 LMT, an increase of 27.38 LMT from the previous year’s 1,105.54 LMT. Millets are projected at 175.72 LMT, a slight rise from 173.21 LMT in 2022–23.

However, pulse production is estimated to decrease to 242.46 LMT from 260.58 LMT in the last fiscal year. Similarly, oilseeds are expected to decline to 396.69 LMT, down from 413.55 LMT in 2022–23, with groundnut production estimated at 101.80 LMT and soybean at 130.62 LMT. In contrast, rapeseed and mustard are forecasted to see a marginal increase, reaching a record production of 132.59 LMT.

The Ministry attributed the decline in certain crop outputs to drought-like conditions experienced in southern states, including Maharashtra, and prolonged dry spells, especially in Rajasthan during August. As a result, sugarcane production is projected to fall to 4,531.58 LMT from 4,905.33 LMT, and cotton output is expected to decrease to 325.22 lakh bales from 336.60 lakh bales in the previous year. The estimated production figures for other crops are as follows: Tur at 34.17 LMT, Gram at 110.39 LMT, Groundnut at 101.80 LMT, Soybean at 130.62 LMT, and Rapeseed and Mustard at a record 132.59 LMT, according to the government.