New Delhi, May 27 (IANS) India’s total foodgrain production increased by 5.3 per cent to an all-time high of 376.563 million tonnes in 2025-26 compared with the corresponding figure of 357.732 million tonnes for the previous year, according to the third advance estimates of major agricultural crops released on Wednesday.

Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan said: “This marks the highest-ever foodgrain production in the country’s history. The estimates reflect a strong and encouraging picture of India’s agricultural progress.”

He said that detailed crop-wise figures indicate rice production at 154.024 million tonnes, compared to 150.184 million tonnes in 2024–25, registering an increase of 3.84 million tonnes. Wheat production is estimated at 120.657 million tonnes, which is 2.712 million tonnes higher than last year’s 117.945 million tonnes. Production of millets is estimated at 17.584 million tonnes. Maize production has reached a record 55.093 million tonnes, which is 11.684 million tonnes higher than last year’s production of 43.409 million tonnes. Production of nutritious and coarse cereals has also witnessed strong growth, with total output estimated at 74.472 million tonnes.

In pulses, tur production is estimated at 3.592 million tonnes, almost at par with last year’s 3.624 million tonnes. Gram production is estimated at 12.514 million tonnes, which is 1.4 million tonnes higher than last year’s 11.114 million tonnes. Lentil production is estimated at 1.762 million tonnes.

In oilseeds, total production is estimated at 43.059 million tonnes. Groundnut production is estimated at 13.074 million tonnes, which is 1.132 million tonnes higher than last year’s 11.942 million tonnes. Soybean production is estimated at 12.596 million tonnes. Rapeseed and mustard production is estimated at 13.768 million tonnes, an increase of 1.101 million tonnes over last year’s 12.667 million tonnes.

The Agriculture Minister further said that among commercial crops, sugarcane production is estimated at 500.063 million tonnes, which is 45.452 million tonnes higher than last year’s production of 454.611 million tonnes. Cotton production is estimated at 29.024 million bales (each bale weighing 170 kg), while jute production is estimated at 9.176 million bales (each bale weighing 180 kg).

He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the government has been consistently working towards farmers’ prosperity and the growth of the agriculture sector, the positive impact of which is now visible in the form of record agricultural production.

Chouhan said the third advance estimates clearly indicate that the production position of foodgrains, major cereals, oilseeds, and commercial crops in the country remains robust, with several crops projected to achieve record production levels.

He added that agricultural research undertaken by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research and its institutions has also played a crucial role in enhancing the production of major crops. These efforts include the development of climate-resilient crop varieties, rainfed production technologies and dissemination of research outcomes to farmers at the grassroots level.

Under the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan conducted last year, agricultural practices across the country were further strengthened through direct outreach by scientists to farmers. Farmers were provided climate-resilient technologies, improved crop production techniques, rainfed farming practices and scientific advisory support for holistic agricultural development.

In 2025–26, ICAR released 339 crop varieties suitable for different agro-climatic regions of the country, including cereals, oilseeds, pulses, commercial crops and fodder crops, the minister added.

–IANS

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