Record Foodgrain Production Expected to Control Food Inflation

31-Dec-2025 08:05 PM

New Delhi: The Union Agriculture Ministry has projected that domestic foodgrain production will reach a new record level in the 2025-26 season, while large-scale imports of cheaper pulses and edible oils from abroad continue.

In addition, GST has been reduced or eliminated on many food products. This is significantly helping to control food inflation.

The arrival of Kharif crops has already begun, while the harvesting and preparation of Rabi crops are expected to start in the coming months.

According to the Union Agriculture Secretary, Kharif production is looking positive, and sowing of Rabi crops is progressing well. Given this, total production in 2025-26 is expected to reach a new record level.

The Ministry of Agriculture's first advance estimate projects total foodgrain production in the 2025-26 Kharif season to reach 1733.30 lakh tonnes, which is significantly higher than the final revised production of 1694 lakh tonnes in 2024-25. This includes an estimated production of over 1245 lakh tonnes of rice and 283 lakh tonnes of maize.

However, heavy rainfall and waterlogging in September-October caused significant damage to Kharif crops in the western and eastern parts of the country, which the government seems to have overlooked. Pulse and oilseed crops were particularly affected by this natural calamity.

The area under Rabi crops is about 7 lakh hectares more than last year. The crops showing an increase in production area include wheat, paddy, gram, lentil, barley, and maize.

The area under mustard cultivation has also increased. With favorable weather conditions, a good increase in the production of these crops is expected.