Expectations are raised due to a better monsoon, this year Kharif production is estimated to be record 15.05 million tonnes
However, coarse cereals and oilseeds production is expected to remain marginally lower during the Kharif season this year.
New Delhi. Foodgrain production is likely to touch a record 150.55 million tonnes in the current Kharif season due to a good monsoon this year and is likely to increase rice production. The Agriculture Ministry gave this information on Tuesday. Earlier, in the Kharif season of the last crop year 2020-21 (July-June), the total foodgrain production including rice, pulses, and coarse cereals stood at a record 14.95 million 60 thousand tonnes. Record production of rice, sugarcane, and cotton is estimated.
However, coarse cereals and oilseeds production is expected to remain marginally lower during the Kharif season this year. Sowing of Kharif (summer) crops like Paddy begins with the onset of the southwest monsoon from June, while harvesting in most parts starts from October. Releasing the first advanced foodgrain production estimates for the current Kharif season, Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said: “Record foodgrain production in Kharif season is estimated at 15.55 million tonnes.”
He said that apart from the policies of the farmer-friendly government, huge yields are being achieved due to the tireless hard work of the farmers and scientists. According to the data, the production of pulses is likely to increase to 94.5 lakh tonnes in the Kharif season of 2021-22, from 86.9 lakh tonnes in the previous year. Arhar production, which is the main Kharif pulse, is estimated to increase marginally to 44.3 lakh tonnes from the earlier 4.28 million tonnes. However, the production of coarse cereals is estimated to decline to 304 million tonnes from the earlier 364.6 million tonnes.
Among coarse cereals, maize production is estimated to decline to 12.40 million tonnes in the 2021-22 Kharif season from 21.14 million tonnes in the previous year. Similarly, oilseeds production is estimated to decline to 23.34 million tonnes from the earlier 204 million tonnes. Among oilseeds, groundnut production is estimated to decline to 82.5 lakh tonnes this time as against 85.5 lakh tonnes earlier, while soybean production is estimated to decline to 12.27 lakh 20 thousand tonnes as against 11.28 lakh 90 thousand tonnes earlier.
In the case of cash crops, sugarcane production is estimated to be a record 41.92 million tonnes during the 2021-22 Kharif season as compared to 39.92 million tonnes in the previous year. The production of cotton is also likely to be a record production of 36.2 million bales (170 kg each) this time as compared to 35.38 million bales last year. As per the data, the production of jute and mesta during the year is estimated to be 96.1 lakh bales (180 kg each) as against 95.5 lakh bales earlier.