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 of 357 MT reported in the previous year. The agriculture ministry released the 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.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has already predicted 'below normal' monsoon rainfall amid the growing risk of El Nino. This climatic phenomenon is invariably associated with weak monsoon in India, and 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, across different states 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. 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 record production of individual crops such as paddy, wheat, and maize. Good monsoon rainfall last year contributed to the 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. 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.
Wheat production is projected to rise by nearly 2.3% to 120 MT for the 2025-26 crop year, despite localised damage caused by unseasonal rains and hailstorms.
