According to the agriculture ministry, India’s foodgrain production reached a record 332.22 million tonnes in the 2023-24 crop year, driven by strong wheat and rice production. The final estimate for 2023-24 shows an increase of 2.61 million tonnes from the previous year’s 329.6 million tonnes.
Rice production reached a record 137.82 million tonnes, up from 135.75 million tonnes in 2022-23. Wheat output reached a high of 113.29 million tonnes. However, pulse production declined to 24.24 million tonnes and oilseeds output fell to 39.66 million.
The ministry attributed the decline in pulses, coarse cereals, soybean, and cotton production to “drought-like conditions in southern states, including Maharashtra, and prolonged dry spell during August, especially in Rajasthan”.
Sugarcane production decreased to 453.15 million tonnes, and cotton output fell to 32.52 million bales.
