Foodgrain: India produced a record 322.22 million tonnes in the 2023-24 production season
Virendra Pandit
New Delhi: India’s foodgrain production in 2023-24 hit a record 332.22 million metric tonnes in the production year ended June 2024, the media reported on Wednesday.
It was driven by bumper wheat and rice output, the Union Agriculture Ministry said in a statement.
The final estimate for 2023-24 shows an increase of 2.61 million tonnes from the previous year’s 329.6 million tonnes, the ministry said in a statement.
Rice production touched a record 137.82 million tonnes, up from 135.75 million tonnes in 2022-23.
Wheat output also hit a high of 113.29 million tonnes as compared to 110.55 million tonnes the previous year.
However, pulse production declined to 24.24 million tonnes from 26.05 million tonnes, and oilseeds output fell to 39.66 million tonnes from 41.35 million tonnes.
The government 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 from 490.53 million tonnes, and cotton output fell to 32.52 million bales (1 bale equals 170 kg) from 33.66 million bales.
The foodgrains basket comprises rice, wheat, coarse cereals, millets, and pulses.
These estimates are based on information received from states and union territories, the ministry added.
