India's foodgrain production hits record 332.22 MT in 2023-24: Govt:

The Ministry attributed decline in pulses, coarse cereals, soybean and cotton production to drought-like conditions in Southern States, like Maharashtra and prolonged dry spell during August. India’s foodgrain production reached a record 332.22 million tons in the 2023-24 crop year ended June, driven by bumper wheat and rice output, the Agriculture Ministry said on Wednesday. The final estimate for 2023-24 shows an increase of 2.61 million tons from the previous year’s 329.6 million tons, the Ministry said in a statement. Rice production touched a record 137.82 million tons, up from 135.75 million tons in 2022-23. Wheat output also hit a high of 113.29 million tons as compared to 110.55 million tons the previous year. However, pulses production declined to 24.24 million tons from 26.05 million tons and oilseeds output fell to 39.66 million tons from 41.35 million tons. The Ministry 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 tons from 490.53 million tons, and cotton output fell to 32.52 million bales (1 bale equals to 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.