Crop Bounty: Record Rabi 20-21 Foodgrain Output
India towards achieving 300 million tonnes foodgrains production

On 22nd Jan, 2021, Rabi sowing touched new record at 67.5 million hectares highest ever crop planted since independence. This year abundant water availability for irrigation provides adequate level of soil moisture. The area is 2.86% more than last year raising hopes of a higher production from last year's record output. The production is expected to witness a steep jump amidst higher acreages and good growing conditions. Low temperature with morning dew is helping wheat and mustard crops in northern India.

India's Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MAFW) Agriculture ministry has set a target of 149.35 million tonnes of foodgrains production in the kharif season and 151.65 million tonnes in the rabi (winter sown) season, taking the total foodgrain target to record 301 million tonnes in the 2020-21 crop year. In the 2019-20 crop years, the country's overall foodgrains production stood at a record 296.65 million tonne, as per the government's fourth advance estimate. According to the latest advance estimates, Foodgrain production is pegged at record 144.52 million tonnes in the 2020-21 kharif season against the 143.38 million tonnes during the 2019-20 kharif season. Bountiful rains received during monsoon season have boosted the prospects of crop production in the ensuing Rabi season. And, better foodgrain production expected in the rabi season from last year's record output of 153.27 million tonnes.

Wheat production could even touch record 110 million tonnes, against the target of 108 million tonnes. The coverage of wheat has also touched the highest level 34.5 million hectares, 3.13% more than last year and 13.8% from normal area planted under the crop during this time. Good rains received in central peninsular region during September-October months prompted many farmers in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra to shift from chickpea to wheat. This year, the weather and soil moisture have been favourable. According to the Agriculturist, Low temperature a boon for wheat crop. The present atmosphere would lead to quick maturity of the crop and the yield is expected to be increased by one-two quintal per acre last year. This time low temperature would be of great benefit for the late-sown variety of wheat. Low temperature had also prevented the crop from the attack of various diseases such as sucking pest and fungus, resulting in increase in the yield. Few industry experts anticipate that wheat production may reached at 114-116 million tonnes. Unless something drastic happens with the weather, the crop will be good.

The area under pulses has also gone up by 2.61% from the last year and 14% higher from the normal area. Rabi pulses crop conditions seems normal to good with no major concern over output. Chana, highest produce pulse crop, planted on around 111 Lakh Hectare,66% total rabi pulses area. This year area is up by 4.18% from last year and and also up by 20% from normal area. Chana production is likely to cross again the 11 million tonne mark this year under prevailing condition. The government has set the production target at 11 million tonnes for the 2020-21 crop year, against 11.35 million tonnes estimated for last year.

Mustard, the dominant oilseed of rabi season is primarily grown in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana, has registered a record acreage this year up by 7.34% from last year and up by 24% from normal area. Experts are estimating Mustard production would be in the range of 9.5-10 million tonnes as against last year production of 9.12 million tonnes. Few are also anticipating that production may cross 10 million tonnes mark against the Government target of 9.36 million tonne.

The Rabi paddy acreage has also gone up sharply by 15.24% from last year but significantly down by more than 28% as compared to normal area during this time. The government has set the Rabi paddy production target at 17 million tonnes for the 2020-21 crop year, against 16.45 million tonnes estimated for last year.