2025-26 foodgrain production estimated at record 376 million tonne

NEW DELHI: India is estimated to have produced a record 376 million tonnes (MT) of foodgrains in the 2025-26 crop year which is 5.3% higher than the output (357 MT) reported in the previous year, said the agriculture ministry while releasing latest estimates of crop production on Wednesday, even as it has been gearing up to minimise the impact of El Nino on the upcoming sowing season in the 2026-27 crop year.IMD has already predicted 'below normal' monsoon rainfall amid the growing risk of El Nino - a climatic phenomena which is invariably associated with weak monsoon in India and the records show that such conditions reduced output of key Kharif (summer sown) crops such as paddy and maize by more than 10% in 77 and 65 districts, respectively, in different states across the country in the past.The ministry will organise a two-day national conference, chaired by Union agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, on Kharif crops, beginning Thursday, where policymakers and farm scientists will focus on preparedness to deal with the impending El Nino risks, climate-resilient agriculture, natural farming, pulses and oilseeds production, digital agriculture, finance, and risk management.The third production estimates for the 2025-26 crop year, released on Wednesday, show the record production of individual crops such as paddy, wheat and maize as well. Good monsoon rainfall last year contributed to record output in the current crop year (July- June) cycle.Paddy (rice) production is estimated at a record 154 MT, wheat at 120 MT and maize at a record 55 MT whereas production of millets is estimated at 17.6 MT, tur at 3.5 MT, gram at 12.5 MT and lentil at 1.7 MT.The wheat production is, in fact, projected to rise by nearly 2.3% to 120 MT for the 2025-26 crop year despite localised damage caused due to unseasonal rains and hailstorms.