Union agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan termed it the highest-ever foodgrain output in the country’s history.
Rice production is estimated to touch a record 154.02 million tonnes, and wheat too will scale an all-time high of 120.65 MT. Maize production will also reach a record 55.09 MT, according to the third advance estimates released by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare on Wednesday.
The strong foodgrain production estimates for 2025-26 come amid forecasts of below-normal this monsoon season due to the El Nino weather pattern, associated with erratic rainfall, which could impact farm output this year. Nutri-cereal output is estimated at 17.58 MT, and tur at 3.592 MT, gram at 12.51 MT, and lentil at 1.76 MT this year.
Total oilseed production is estimated at 43.05 MT, groundnut at a record 13.07 MT, soyabean at 12.59 MT, and rapeseed-mustard at a record 13.76 MT.
Sugarcane production is estimated at a record 500.06 MT, while cotton output is pegged at 29.02 million bales and jute at 9.17 million bales. Gram output is projected at 12.51 MT, while lentil production is estimated at 1.76 MT. Among oilseeds, groundnut production is estimated at 13.07 MT while rapeseed and mustard output is estimated at 13.76 MT.
In commercial crops, sugarcane production is estimated at 500.06 MT. Cotton production is estimated at 29.024 million bales of 170 kg each, while jute output is estimated at 9.176 million bales of 180 kg each.