India Posts Record 357.73 Million Tonnes of Foodgrain Output — Highest Growth in a Decade

Rice and wheat hit all-time highs; oilseeds, pulses, and millets show strong gains

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India has logged a landmark achievement in agricultural output, with foodgrain production for 2024–25 reaching an unprecedented 357.73 million tonnes. Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan released the final crop production estimates in New Delhi on Thursday, calling the surge the highest annual growth in ten years.

Production has expanded by 106 million tonnes since 2015–16, when total output was 251.54 million tonnes — a testament to sustained improvements in productivity, irrigation, technology adoption, and supportive policy interventions.

Rice and Wheat Deliver Record Harvests

According to the latest estimates:

• Rice: 1501.84 lakh tonnes (up 123.59 lakh tonnes from last year)
• Wheat: 1179.45 lakh tonnes (up 46.53 lakh tonnes)
• Maize: 434.09 lakh tonnes
• Nutri & coarse cereals: 639.21 lakh tonnes
• Millets (‘Shri Anna’): 185.92 lakh tonnes

The strong performance of millets underscores India’s continued push to strengthen climate-resilient cereals.

Pulses Production Sees Significant Growth

Total pulses output is estimated at 256.83 lakh tonnes, with major contributors including:

• Chickpea (Chana): 111.14 lakh tonnes
• Moong: 42.44 lakh tonnes

The figures reinforce the momentum behind India’s Self-Reliance in Pulses Mission, which aims to reduce import dependency through improved varieties, wider cultivation, and MSP-backed procurement.

Oilseeds Hit All-Time High

Oilseed production too has surged to a record 429.89 lakh tonnes, aided by:

• Soybean: 152.68 lakh tonnes
• Groundnut: 119.42 lakh tonnes
• Rapeseed & mustard: 126.67 lakh tonnes

This marks a sharp increase of 33.20 lakh tonnes over last year, strengthening India’s edible oil supply and reducing reliance on imports.

Other Major Crops Also Show Strong Performance

• Sugarcane: 4546.11 lakh tonnes
• Cotton: 297.24 lakh bales (170 kg each)
• Jute & mesta: 88.02 lakh bales (180 kg each)

These outputs reflect stable performance across major irrigated and rain-fed crop systems.

Government Eyes Continued Momentum

Following the release of estimates, Minister Chouhan held a review meeting with senior officials to chart future strategies. He said the government’s agricultural welfare schemes — along with MSP procurement for tur, urad, chana, and moong — are providing crucial support to farmers.

Chouhan reiterated that the government remains committed to ensuring that “agriculture and farmers stay at the centre of national priority.” He expressed confidence that ongoing missions, targeted interventions, and sustained policy support will keep the sector on a strong growth trajectory.