India has posted an all-time high in the output of rice, wheat, maize, groundnut, and soybean for the 2024-25 season, according to the second advance estimates put out by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare on Monday.
Overall foodgrain production during the kharif season is at 1663.91 lakh metric tonnes (LMT), and that of the rabi season is placed at 1645.27 LMT.
Kharif rice production stands at 1206.79 LMT, which is higher by 74.20 LMT from the level of 1132.59 LMT during 2023-24. Rabi rice production will be approximately 157.58 LMT.
Production of wheat has increased to 1154.30 LMT, representing a rise of 21.38 LMT from the last year's output of 1132.92 LMT.
Production of Shree Anna crops is put at 137.52 LMT for kharif and 30.81 LMT for rabi. Likewise, Nutri/Coarse Cereals are put at 385.63 LMT for kharif and 174.65 LMT for rabi.
In pulses, production of Tur and Gram is put at 35.11 LMT and 115.35 LMT, respectively, and that of Lentil is likely to be 18.17 LMT.
Groundnut yield is estimated at 104.26 LMT for kharif and 8.87 LMT for rabi. Soybean yields have also gone up to 151.32 LMT, a rise of 20.70 LMT from last year's 130.62 LMT. Rapeseed and mustard production are estimated at 128.73 LMT.
Cotton output is estimated at 294.25 lakh bales (per bale weighing 170 kg), and sugar cane is estimated at 4350.79 LMT.
The Ministry clarified that the estimates of kharif crop production are founded on yield information derived from Crop Cutting Experiments (CCEs). The estimates of rabi crops are initially established on average yields and will be improved in future projections as more yield information from CCEs become available. The estimates for most summer crops will be included in the third advance projections.
Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan, while endorsing the estimates, credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership for the continuous advancement of the agricultural sector.
He reiterated that government initiatives and farmer support schemes have played a pivotal role in boosting agricultural output.
The Ministry confirmed that data received from states has been cross-verified using Remote Sensing, the Weekly Crop Weather Watch Group, and other relevant sources.
Further, the Department of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare (DoA&FW) interacted with industry players and other government departments to solicit inputs for the finalization of production estimates of kharif and rabi seasons. Yield estimates are arrived at from CCEs, past trends, and other determinants, the statement added.
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