Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan Releases First Advance Estimates of Kharif Crop Production for 2025-26

Increase Recorded in Major Crop Output

Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, released the first advance estimates for the main Kharif crops for 2025-26. The estimates indicate an expected rise in the production of major Kharif crops, with total food grain output projected to grow by 3.87 million tonnes and reach 173.33 million tonnes. The projections point to strong production levels of Kharif rice and maize. Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that agriculture continues to show positive progress under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.

Rice and Maize Output Expected to Rise

Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan stated that some regions faced crop damage due to excessive rainfall, while many areas benefited from favourable monsoon conditions, contributing to overall good crop growth. The first advance estimates for 2025-26 place Kharif rice production at 124.504 million tonnes, which is 1.732 million tonnes higher than last year. Kharif maize production is projected at 28.303 million tonnes, marking an increase of 3.495 million tonnes compared to the previous year.

Projections for Coarse Cereals, Pulses, Oilseeds, and Commercial Crops

The Union Minister added that total Kharif coarse cereals production is estimated at 41.414 million tonnes, while Kharif pulses output is projected at 7.413 million tonnes for 2025-26. Within this category, production estimates include 3.597 million tonnes of tur (arhar), 1.205 million tonnes of urad, and 1.720 million tonnes of moong.

Total Kharif oilseed production is expected to reach 27.563 million tonnes. This includes peanut (groundnut) production of 11.093 million tonnes, which is 0.681 million tonnes higher than last year, and soybean production estimated at 14.266 million tonnes. Sugarcane production is projected at 475.614 million tonnes, reflecting an increase of 21.003 million tonnes from the previous year. Cotton output is estimated at 29.215 million bales, each weighing 170 kilograms. Production of Patson and Mesta is projected at 8.345 million bales, each bale weighing kilogrammes.

Basis of Estimates

The estimates are prepared using yield trends from previous years, ground-level inputs, regional assessments, and data received primarily from states. Revisions will follow when actual yield data from crop cutting experiments becomes available. Detailed estimates are accessible on the portal upag.gov.in.