Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Rural Development Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan today released the Third Advance Estimates of production of major agricultural crops for 2025–26 and said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Government has been consistently working towards farmers’ prosperity and the growth of the agriculture sector, the positive impact of which is now visible in the form of record agricultural production.

According to the Third Advance Estimates, the country’s total foodgrain production is estimated at 376.563 million tonnes, which is nearly 18.8 million tonnes (5.3%) higher than last year’s production of 357.732 million tonnes. This marks the highest-ever foodgrain production in the country’s history. Shri Chouhan congratulated the nation’s farmers for this historic achievement.

The Third Advance Estimates released by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare present a strong and encouraging picture of India’s agricultural progress.  Sharing the crop-wise summary, the Union Agriculture Minister said that rice production is estimated at a record 154.024 million tonnes, wheat at 120.657 million tonnes and maize at a record 55.093 million tonnes. Production of Shree Anna is estimated at 17.584 million tonnes, tur at 3.592 million tonnes, gram at 12.514 million tonnes and lentil at 1.762 million tonnes.

Similarly, total oilseeds production is estimated at 43.059 million tonnes. Groundnut production has reached a record 13.074 million tonnes, soybean production is estimated at 12.596 million tonnes and rapeseed & mustard production is estimated at a record 13.768 million tonnes. Sugarcane production is estimated at a record 500.063 million tonnes, while cotton production is estimated at 29.024 million bales and jute production at 9.176 million bales.

Shri Chouhan further stated that detailed crop-wise figures indicate rice production at 154.024 million tonnes, compared to 150.184 million tonnes in 2024–25, registering an increase of 3.84 million tonnes. Wheat production is estimated at 120.657 million tonnes, which is 2.712 million tonnes higher than last year’s 117.945 million tonnes. Production of Shree Anna is estimated at 17.584 million tonnes. Maize production has reached a record 55.093 million tonnes, which is 11.684 million tonnes higher than last year’s production of 43.409 million tonnes. Production of nutritious and coarse cereals has also witnessed strong growth, with total output estimated at 74.472 million tonnes.

In pulses, tur production is estimated at 3.592 million tonnes, almost at par with last year’s 3.624 million tonnes. Gram production is estimated at 12.514 million tonnes, which is 1.4 million tonnes higher than last year’s 11.114 million tonnes. Lentil production is estimated at 1.762 million tonnes.

In oilseeds, total production is estimated at 43.059 million tonnes. Groundnut production is estimated at 13.074 million tonnes, which is 1.132 million tonnes higher than last year’s 11.942 million tonnes. Soybean production is estimated at 12.596 million tonnes. Rapeseed and mustard production is estimated at 13.768 million tonnes, an increase of 1.101 million tonnes over last year’s 12.667 million tonnes.

The Agriculture Minister further informed that among commercial crops, sugarcane production is estimated at 500.063 million tonnes, which is 45.452 million tonnes higher than last year’s production of 454.611 million tonnes. Cotton production is estimated at 29.024 million bales (each bale weighing 170 kg), while jute production is estimated at 9.176 million bales (each bale weighing 180 kg).

Shri Chouhan said the Third Advance Estimates clearly indicate that the production position of foodgrains, major cereals, oilseeds and commercial crops in the country remains robust, with several crops projected to achieve record production levels.

He added that agricultural research undertaken by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research and its institutions has also played a crucial role in enhancing production of major crops. These efforts include development of climate-resilient crop varieties, rainfed production technologies and dissemination of research outcomes to farmers at the grassroots level.

Under the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan conducted last year, agricultural practices across the country were further strengthened through direct outreach by scientists to farmers. Farmers were provided climate-resilient technologies, improved crop production techniques, rainfed farming practices and scientific advisory support for holistic agricultural development.

In 2025–26, ICAR released 339 crop varieties suitable for different agro-climatic regions of the country, including cereals, oilseeds, pulses, commercial crops and fodder crops.

During 2024–25, breeder seed production reached 109,370.2 quintals, while quality seed production stood at 433,114.7 quintals. Integrated innovations in soil and water resource management, climate-smart agriculture, digital soil intelligence and sustainable agricultural technologies have made a significant contribution towards increasing production of major agricultural crops.

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RC/MS