New Delhi: India has recorded its biggest foodgrain output to date, with the Ministry of Agriculture releasing final production estimates for 2024-25 that show an almost 8 per cent rise over last year’s figures. Foodgrain production has reached 357.73 million tonnes, up from 332.30 million tonnes in 2023-24.
Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who released the estimates in New Delhi, thanked farmers for delivering a historic performance. He said production has grown by 106 million tonnes over the past decade, rising from 251.54 million tonnes in 2015-16 to 357.73 million tonnes in 2024-25.
Rice production has touched a new high of 1,501.84 lakh tonnes, increasing by 123.59 lakh tonnes from last year’s 1,378.25 lakh tonnes. Wheat output has risen to 1,179.45 lakh tonnes, an increase of 46.53 lakh tonnes over 1,132.92 lakh tonnes last year.
Moong production stands at 42.44 lakh tonnes, while soybean output has reached 152.68 lakh tonnes and groundnut 119.42 lakh tonnes. Maize production is estimated at 434.09 lakh tonnes and ‘Shri Anna’ (millet) at 185.92 lakh tonnes.
Chouhan highlighted the strong rise in oilseed production, which has reached a record 429.89 lakh tonnes. This is 33.20 lakh tonnes higher than last year’s 396.69 lakh tonnes. Soybean and groundnut have posted record outputs at 152.68 lakh tonnes and 119.42 lakh tonnes respectively. Rapeseed and mustard production is estimated at 126.67 lakh tonnes.
The ministry shared the following crop-wise estimates:
● Total foodgrains: 3,577.32 lakh tonnes (Record)
● Rice: 1,501.84 lakh tonnes (Record)
● Wheat: 1,179.45 lakh tonnes (Record)
● Nutri and coarse cereals: 639.21 lakh tonnes
● Maize: 434.09 lakh tonnes
● Total pulses: 256.83 lakh tonnes
● Shri Anna (millet): 185.92 lakh tonnes
● Chickpea: 111.14 lakh tonnes
● Moong: 42.44 lakh tonnes
● Tur: 36.24 lakh tonnes
The estimates for oilseeds and other crops are:
● Total oilseeds: 429.89 lakh tonnes
● Soybean: 152.68 lakh tonnes (Record)
● Groundnut: 119.42 lakh tonnes (Record)
● Rapeseed and mustard: 126.67 lakh tonnes
● Sugarcane: 4,546.11 lakh tonnes
● Cotton: 297.24 lakh bales
● Jute and mesta: 88.02 lakh bales
After releasing the estimates, Chouhan met senior officials to discuss strategies for the coming years. He said initiatives such as the ‘Self-Reliance in Pulses Mission’ are expected to give further momentum to pulse production, supported by MSP procurement for tur, urad, chana and moong.
He noted that the government will continue efforts to strengthen agriculture and improve farmer welfare, adding that sustained policy support has played a central role in achieving record production levels.
BI Bureau
