Kharif Production Expected to Match Last Year’s Level

17-Sep-2025 08:53 PM

New Delhi. India's gross food grain production during the current Kharif season is expected to be around last year's 168 million tonnes.

Although there has been an increase in the area under paddy, coarse grains, and pulses, heavy rains and floods in states like Punjab, Rajasthan, Telangana, and Maharashtra have significantly damaged crops, thus diminishing the prospects for increased production.

The government will use satellite imagery to assess crop yields for various crops, and will expedite the settlement of crop insurance claims in flood-affected areas.

Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department has stated that during this year's southwest monsoon season, between June 1 and September 15, the country received 853 mm of rainfall, representing 107.2 percent of the long-term average.

According to the Union Agriculture Secretary, surplus rainfall and localized floods in some states have damaged paddy, pulses, and oilseed crops, but the total Kharif crop production will not be lower than last year due to an increase in acreage.

Overall, the situation is that while natural disasters have damaged crops, their productivity has not been significantly affected. According to the Agriculture Secretary, a bumper Kharif crop production was previously expected in 2025-26, but this will no longer be possible. Nevertheless, total production may remain close to last year's level.

While the monsoon has retreated from western Rajasthan, heavy rainfall continues in some parts of the country, kharif crops remain vulnerable.

It is currently difficult to make a definitive estimate of Kharif production. Disappointing news is coming in about crops from Maharashtra.

According to official data, the country produced a total of 353.95 million tonnes of food grains during the entire 2024-25 marketing season, including 168.0 million tonnes of kharif production. The remaining production was in the rabi and zaid seasons.