Kharif foodgrain production likely to go up by 5.7%

KHARIF food grain production for 2024-25 is likely to increase by 5.7% over that of the previous year. The total production is projected at 1647.05 lakh metric tonnes (LMT), which is 89.37 LMT more compared to last year and 124.59 LMT higher than the average kharif food grain production, according to the agriculture ministry's first advance estimate released on Tuesday.

- JITENDRA CHOUBEY

Last year, the total kharif production was 1,557.68 LMT. The estimated increase in food production in 2024-25 is mostly due to rise in output of rice, maize, coarse grains and oilseeds. A major concern is lower pulses production this kharif, which is projected at 69.54 LMT. In view of lower production, the prices of pulses are showing an uptick in the past two years. The government is making market intervention from time to time by selling cheaper retail pulses.

The kharif pulses, namely tur and urad, have been witnessing consistent less production over the past four years. According to the agriculture and farmers' welfare department data, kharif pulses production was 86.18 LMT in 2020-21, which decreased to 82.35 LMT in 2021-22, to 76.21 LMT in 2022-23 and 69.74 LMT in 2023-24.