Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Rural Development, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, last week released the third advance estimates of production of major agricultural crops for 2025–26 and said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Government has been consistently working towards farmers’ prosperity and the growth of the agriculture sector, the positive impact of which is now visible in the form of record agricultural production.
According to the advance estimates, the country’s total foodgrain production is estimated at 376.563 million tonne, which is nearly 18.8 million tonne (5.3 per cent) higher than last year’s production of 357.732 million tonne. This marks the highest-ever foodgrain production in the country’s history. The Minister congratulated the nation’s farmers for this historic achievement.
The estimates present a strong and encouraging picture of India’s agricultural progress. Sharing the crop-wise summary, the Union Agriculture Minister said that rice production is estimated at a record 154.024 million tonne, wheat at 120.657 million tonne and maize at a record 55.093 million tonne. Production of Shree Anna is estimated at 17.584 million tonne, tur at 3.592 million tonne, gram at 12.514 million tonne and lentil at 1.762 million tonne.
Similarly, total oilseeds production is estimated at 43.059 million tonne. Groundnut production has reached a record 13.074 million tonne, soybean production is estimated at 12.596 million tonne and rapeseed & mustard production is estimated at a record 13.768 million tonne. Sugarcane production is estimated at a record 500.063 million tonne, while cotton production is estimated at 29.024 million bales and jute production at 9.176 million bales.
The Minister further informed that among commercial crops, sugarcane production is estimated at 500.063 million tonne, which is 45.452 million tonne higher than last year’s production of 454.611 million tonne. Cotton production is estimated at 29.024 million bales (each bale weighing 170 kg), while jute production is estimated at 9.176 million bales (each bale weighing 180 kg).
Chouhan said the estimates clearly indicate that the production position of foodgrain, major cereals, oilseeds and commercial crops in the country remains robust, with several crops projected to achieve record production levels.
He added that agricultural research undertaken by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and its institutions has also played a crucial role in enhancing production of major crops. These efforts include development of climate-resilient crop varieties, rainfed production technologies and dissemination of research outcomes to farmers at the grassroots level.
During 2024–25, breeder seed production reached 109,370.2 quintal, while quality seed production stood at 433,114.7 quintal. Integrated innovations in soil and water resource management, climate-smart agriculture, digital soil intelligence and sustainable agricultural technologies have made a significant contribution towards increasing production of major agricultural crops.
Under the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan conducted last year, agricultural practices across the country were further strengthened through direct outreach by scientists to farmers. Farmers were provided climate-resilient technologies, improved crop production techniques, rainfed farming practices and scientific advisory support for holistic agricultural development.
In 2025–26, ICAR released 339 crop varieties suitable for different agro-climatic regions of the country, including cereals, oilseeds, pulses, commercial crops and fodder crops.
During 2024–25, breeder seed production reached 109,370.2 quintal, while quality seed production stood at 433,114.7 quintal. Integrated innovations in soil and water resource management, climate-smart agriculture, digital soil intelligence and sustainable agricultural technologies have made a significant contribution towards increasing production of major agricultural crops.