Govt expects foodgrain production to touch new record in 2017-18

Government has estimated that the foodgrain production will touch a new record of 277.49 million tonnes in 2017-18 crop year as against 275.11 million tonnes last year. 

According to the second estimate for 2017-18 released on Monday, Pulses production is pegged at a record 23.95 MT this year, up by 0.82 MT, from 23.13 MT last year. 

The wheat production is estimated to decline by 1.40 MT to 97.11 MT from the record of 98.51 MT achieved in 2016-17. The production



of coarse cereals is estimated at record 45.42 MT this year as against 43.77 MT in 2016-17 crop year. 

However, oilseeds production is pegged lower by 1.39 MT at 29.88 MT in 2017-18 as against 31.28 MT during 2016-17. 

The Agriculture Ministry said, as a result of near normal rainfall during monsoon 2017 and various policy initiatives taken by the government, the country has witnessed record foodgrains production in the current year.