India achieves record foodgrain production of 3,323 lakh metric tonnes in 2023-24

India’s foodgrain production hits record high due to strong yields in rice, wheat, and millet crops

India has recorded a historic foodgrain production of 3,322.98 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) for the agricultural year 2023-24, surpassing last year’s production of 3,296.87 LMT by 26.11 LMT, the Centre announced on Wednesday.

The increase in foodgrain output is primarily attributed to strong performances in rice, wheat, and millet cultivation. Rice production reached a record 1,378.25 LMT, marking an increase of 20.70 LMT from 1,357.55 LMT in the previous year. Wheat production also saw significant growth, estimated at 1,132.92 LMT, which is up by 27.38 LMT from last year’s 1,105.54 LMT.

Millet production is estimated at 175.72 LMT, slightly higher than 173.21 LMT from the previous year. Despite these gains, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare noted that southern states, particularly Maharashtra, faced drought-like conditions and prolonged dry spells in August, particularly in Rajasthan. This moisture stress affected the Rabi season and harmed the production of pulses, coarse cereals, soybeans, and cotton.

The production of nutri/ coarse cereals was recorded at 569.36 LMT, with maize at 376.65 LMT and total pulses at 242.46 LMT, including 34.17 LMT of tur and 110.39 LMT of gram. Total oilseeds production reached 396.69 LMT, with groundnut at 101.80 LMT and soybean at 130.62 LMT. Sugarcane production stood at 4,531.58 LMT and cotton at 325.22 lakh bales (170 kg each).

These estimates were derived from data collected from states and Union Territories, and validated through remote sensing and other methodologies. The Ministry emphasized that crop yield estimates are primarily based on nationwide Crop Cutting Experiments (CCEs).

Additionally, the area sown for commercial or cash crops, including sugarcane, cotton, jute, and mesta, has increased from 18,214.19 thousand hectares in the agricultural year 2021-22 to 18,935.22 thousand hectares in 2023-24, according to the latest government data.

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