Foodgrain output to be record 305 mt this yr

India's foodgrain production is estimated to rise 2.66 per cent to a new record of 305.43 million tonnes (mt) in the current crop year 2020-21, on better output of rice, wheat, and pulses amid good monsoon rains last year, the agriculture ministry said on Tuesday.

In the 2019-20 crop year (July-june), the country's foodgrain output (comprising wheat, rice, pulses and coarse cereals) stood at a record 297.5 MT. Releasing the third advance estimates for the 2020-21 crop year, the agriculture ministry said foodgrain production is projected at a record 305.43 MT.

Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar attributed the rise in production to efforts of the farmers and scientists as well as policies of the central government.

As per the data, rice production is pegged at a record 121.46 million tonnes in the 2020-21 crop year as against 118.87 MT in the previous year.

Wheat production is estimated to increase to a record 108.75 MT in 2020-21 from 107.86 Mtin the previous year, while output of coarse cereals is likely to increase to 49.66

Rice production is pegged at a record 121.46 mt in 2020-21

MT, from 47.75 MT a year ago. Pulses output is estimated at 25.56 MT, a rise as compared with 23.03 million tonnes in 2019-20 crop year. In the nonfoodgrain category, the production of oilseeds is estimated at 36.56 MT in 2020-21 as against 33.21 MT in the previous year. Sugarcane production is pegged at 392.79 million tonnes from 370.50 MT in the previous year, while cotton output is expected to be higher at 36.49 million bales.