India Forecasts Record Foodgrain Output for 2024-25; Cotton Production Declines
India is on course to achieve a record foodgrain production of 353.959 million tonnes in the 2024-25 (agricultural years), marking a 6.5% increase from the previous year. This is as per the third advanced estimated report released by the Union Ministry of Agriculture. Anticipated record harvests are for key staples like rice, wheat, and maize, although production figures for commercial crops such as cotton shows a decline.
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Union Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, attributed the projected record foodgrain output to the dedicated efforts of farmers, scientific expertise, supportive government policies, and state cooperation. According to the estimates, rice production is expected to be a record 149.074 million tonnes, wheat at a record 117.507 million tonnes, and maize also hitting a record 42.281 million tonnes. The production of millets (Shree Anna) is estimated at 18.015 million tonnes, contributing to a total coarse/nutritious cereals output of 62.140 million tonnes, an increase of over 5 million tonnes from the previous year. Total pulses production is also set to rise by approximately 1 million tonnes to 25.238 million tonnes. In the oilseeds category, total production is estimated at 42.609 million tonnes, up by 2.94 million tonnes. This includes record outputs for soybean (15.180 million tonnes) and groundnut (11.896 million tonnes).
Cotton Output Falls; Sugarcane Data Questioned
In contrast cotton production is estimated to have declined for the second consecutive year, falling to 30.692 million bales (of 170 kg each) from 32.522 million bales. Sugarcane production registered a slight dip, estimated at 450.116 million tonnes. However, a reported sharper decline of nearly 18% in the country’s actual sugar production has raised questions regarding the accuracy of the ministry's sugarcane output data. Declines were also noted in the production of urad and rapeseed-mustard.
The third advance estimates for 2024-25 paints a positive picture for India's food security, with record production anticipated for essential foodgrains. However, the continued decline in cotton output and concerns regarding sugarcane data draws attention to challenges in specific agricultural sub-sectors that need immediate attention.
