Food Grain Output Likely to Reach New High of 150 Million Tonnes This Year

The agricultural ministry on Tuesday (21 Sep 2021) said that India's food grain production is expected to reach a new record of 150.50 million tonne in the current Kharif season due to better rice output amid strong monsoon.

The food grain production, which includes rice, pulses, and coarse cereals, reached a new record of 149.56 million tonnes in the kharif season of the 2020-21 crop year (July-June). Rice, sugarcane, and cotton output are all expected to hit new records. However, production of coarse cereals and oilseeds is expected to be somewhat lower during the kharif season of this year.

With the onset of the Southwest monsoon in June starts the sowing of kharif (summer) crops like paddy, while harvesting in most of the regions commences from October.

"A record foodgrain production is anticipated at 150.50 million tonne in the kharif season," Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said, releasing the first advance food grain production for the ongoing kharif season.

He claims that the bumper harvest is the result of farmers' and scientists' tireless efforts, as well as farmer-friendly government policies.

Pulses production is expected to increase to 9.45 million tonne in the 2021-22 kharif season, from 8.69 million tonne achieved in the previous year, according to the data.

Tur, the primary kharif pulse, is expected to increase marginally in production to 4.43 million tonne from 4.28 million tonne. However, coarse cereal production is expected to drop to 34 million tonne from 36.46 million tonne.

Maize production is expected to drop to 21.24 million tonne in the 2021-22 kharif season, from 21.44 million tonne the previous year.

Similarly, oilseed production is expected to drop from 24.03 million tonne to 23.39 million tonne. Groundnut production is expected to be 8.25 million tonne, lower from 8.55 million tonne last year, while soyabean production is expected to be 12.72 million tonne, lower from 12.89 million tonne.

Sugarcane output is expected to reach a new record of 419.25 million tonne in the kharif season of 2021-22, up from 399.25 million tonne the previous year. Cotton output is expected to hit a new record of 36.22 million bales (each weighing 170 kg), up from 35.38 million bales in the previous year.

According to the data, jute and mesta output is expected to be marginally higher this year, at 9.61 million bales (180 kg apiece) compared to 9.55 million bales last year.