High Production Target for Kharif Crops Despite El Niño Concerns

17-Jun-2026 12:08 PM

New Delhi. Although rainfall during the monsoon season is projected to be only 90 percent of the long-period average due to the anticipated El Niño weather pattern, the Union Ministry of Agriculture has raised the foodgrain production target for the current Kharif season to 1,761.60 lakh tonnes. This figure slightly exceeds the actual (revised) production of 1,760.40 lakh tonnes recorded in 2025-26.

The Kharif foodgrain production target for 2026-27 comprises 1,231.50 lakh tonnes of rice, 84 lakh tonnes of pulses, 310.40 lakh tonnes of maize, and 135.60 lakh tonnes of nutri-cereals (such as sorghum, pearl millet, and finger millet). Additionally, a production target of 289.20 lakh tonnes has been set for oilseeds.

The monsoon's progress is currently sluggish, and the sowing of Kharif crops is lagging behind last year's pace. A weak monsoon could adversely affect the production of crops like rice and maize in particular.

While efforts are being made to boost the yields of pulses and oilseeds, it is doubtful whether significant success will be achieved in the current Kharif season.