The Reality of Agricultural Production

15-Mar-2025 12:03 PM

The second advance production estimate released by the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare for the Kharif and Rabi marketing season of 2024-25 indicates a promising outlook for food grain production in the country, despite various obstacles and challenges.

Record-breaking yields of rice, wheat, and maize have been projected. Additionally, an increase in the production of pulses and oilseeds is anticipated.

However, the production of cash and industrial crops such as sugarcane, cotton, and jute is expected to decline.

This estimate is the second of four production estimates to be released by the Ministry of Agriculture. As further updates emerge in the coming months, some adjustments to the current figures are likely.

However, even with a potential reduction of 5-10 lakh tonnes, the projected production levels for rice, wheat, and maize are expected to reach new record highs.

For instance, in the 2024-25 season, domestic rice production is forecasted to reach an all-time high of 1364.40 lakh tonnes.

This surpasses the previous record of 1357.60 lakh tonnes in the 2022-23 season and significantly exceeds the 1278.60 lakh tonnes produced in 2023-24.

Similarly, wheat production is estimated to reach a historic high of 1154.30 lakh tonnes, which is 21.40 lakh tonnes higher than the 1132.90 lakh tonnes recorded in the 2023-24 season.

Maize production is also expected to rise, with Kharif season production projected at 248.10 lakh tonnes and Rabi season production at 124.40 lakh tonnes, bringing the total estimated maize production to 372.50 lakh tonnes.

Notably, past estimates included summer or zaid maize, while the current projection excludes it. Once added, total maize production could reach a new record level.

In addition to cereals, a significant increase in the production of pulses, including tur, lentils, and gram, is expected. However, mustard production is predicted to decline by approximately 4 lakh tonnes.

Despite these optimistic projections, the industry and trade sectors remain skeptical about the government’s production estimates for many food products.

As further reports are released, it will be crucial to assess the accuracy and feasibility of these projections in shaping agricultural policies and trade decisions