India’s foodgrain production declines slightly in 2023-24

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India’s foodgrain production for the 2023-24 crop year (July-June) is estimated at 328.8 million tonnes (mt), according to the third advance estimate released by the agriculture ministry on Tuesday. This is a slight increase from the February estimate of 309 mt but represents a 0.3% decrease from the previous season’s nearly 330 mt.

The government has maintained its February estimate for wheat production at 112.9 mt, up from last year’s 110.5 mt, while rice output is pegged at 136.7 mt, slightly lower than the previous year’s 135.7 mt. Wheat, the main rabi (winter) crop, has already been harvested, with over 26 mt procured by the Union government at the minimum support price.

For the current season, the estimate for tur production has been raised to 3.38 mt from the February estimate of 3.33 mt, matching last year’s output. However, chana (gram) production estimates have been lowered to 11.57 mt from 12.1 mt, while masur (lentil) production has increased to 1.75 mt from 1.63 mt. In 2022-23, chana production was 12.26 mt, and masur was 1.56 mt.

In terms of oilseeds, soybean production is estimated at 13 mt, down from 14.9 mt last year. Conversely, rapeseed and mustard production is expected to be 13.1 mt, higher than last year’s 12.6 mt.

Cash crop production has seen a decline, with cotton estimated at 32.5 million bales (1 bale = 170 kg) compared to last year’s 33.6 million bales, and sugarcane production at 442.5 mt, down from 490.5 mt in 2022-23. The agriculture ministry also released the second estimate of horticulture crop production for 2023-24, which is projected to be 35.2 mt, a slight decrease from 35.5 mt in 2022-23. This decline is attributed to reduced vegetable production, particularly potatoes and onions.

The production of Shree Anna, or millets, is estimated at 17.4 mt, a marginal increase from 2022-23. Nutri or coarse cereals are projected to produce 54.7 mt, up by 4.6 mt from last year. Onion production is expected to be 24.2 mt, down from 30.2 mt last year, while potato output is forecasted at 56.7 mt, a decrease of about 3.4 mt, primarily due to lower yields in Bihar and West Bengal.