India's foodgrain output set to reach a record 273.38 MT this year

The Dollar Business Bureau

Due to a favourable monsoon last year, the foodgrain production in India recorded an all-time high of 273.38 million tonnes in the crop year 2016-17, which is an increase of 8.7% compared to the previous year.

Earlier, the record production was 265.04 million tonnes in 2013-14.

The production of rice, wheat, coarse cereals, maize and pulses during the year is estimated to be at record level, as per the 3rd Advance Estimates, released by Agriculture Ministry on Tuesday.

“As a result of very good rainfall during monsoon 2016 and various policy initiatives taken by the government, the country has witnessed a record foodgrain production in the current year,” the statement said.

The Ministry of Agriculture issues four estimates in a year at various stages of crop growth prior to the final numbers which are generally released in the month of July.

The overall production of rice increased to a record 109.15 million tonnes in 2016-17. The output has increased by 4.54% compared to 104.41 million tonnes in the previous year.  

Similarly, the wheat production is also estimated at a record 97.44 million tonnes during the current year, which is increased by 1.66% from the previous record of 95.85 million tonnes during 2013-14. Last year, the wheat production was 92.29 million tonnes.

In 2016-17 crop year, the coarse cereals output is estimated at an all-time high of 44.39 million tonnes, which is higher by 15.23% than the previous year. The previous record output of coarse cereals was 43.40 million tonnes during crop year 2010-11.

The pulses production has significantly increased to 22.4 million tonnes during the current crop year compared to 16.35 million tonnes last year.

The oilseed output is estimated to be 32.52 million tonnes during the current crop year as against the 25.25 million tonnes in the previous year.

In case of cotton, the output is estimated at 32.58 million bales (1 bale = 170 kg each) during 2016-17, up by 8.57% as compared last year.

On the other hand, the sugarcane production is estimated to be lower by 12.17% at 306.03 million tonnes, compared to 348.45 million tonnes last year.