Foodgrain output target cut over El Nino impact

New Delhi: New Delhi: India has cut foodgrain production target to 373.93 million tonnes for the 2026-27 crop year from an estimated output of 376.56 mt in the previous year, as El Nino weather pattern and a deficient monsoon inflate risks to farm yields.

Of the overall target, 177.72 mt is expected to come from the rabi season, agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, said at the National Agriculture Conference-Rabi Campaign 2026 Tuesday.

India had set a foodgrain production target of 362.60 mt in 2025-26, but eventual output is estimated to have exceeded the aim, reaching 376.56 mt.


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Chouhan said the latest targets were prepared after considering water availability, soil moisture and consultations with states.

Meanwhile, the Centre is looking to shift cropping patterns in areas facing water stress by encouraging farmers to grow pulses and oilseeds instead of water-intensive crops. The move follows an uneven southwest monsoon this year. Chouhan said the country's rainfall deficit, which had reached around 14%, narrowed to about 12% following rains over the past few days.

Kharif sowing was around 1% lower than last year, with paddy recording the biggest decline in acreage. Area under maize, soybean and cotton also fell marginally, while sowing of several pulses, oilseeds and coarse cereals increased.

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The government, meanwhile, expects adequate fertiliser availability for the rabi season. States have estimated their requirement, including urea and DAP, at around 38 million tonnes. Opening fertiliser stocks stood at 16.3 million tonnes, compared with 12.2 million tonnes a year earlier.

Chouhan said fertiliser consumption has also declined in 200 districts covered by a Centre-state pilot programme promoting balanced use of chemical fertilisers.