Govt sets record foodgrains production target

New Delhi: Amid forecast of a normal monsoon this year, the government has set the production target for foodgrains at a record 298.3 million tonnes for 2020-21 crop year (July-June), comprising 149.92 million tonnes in kharif (summer) season and 148.4 million tonnes during rabi (winter) season.

The targeted production is over 2% more than the last year’s estimated food grains production of 291.95 million tonnes.

“We have targeted the rice production at 117.5 million tonnes and wheat production at 106.5 million tonnes - almost equal to last year’s estimated output. We are focusing on increasing the output of pulses and oilseeds as import bill of edible oil is rising every year,” said agriculture commissioner S K Malhotra during the national Kharif conference on Thursday.


The government aims to produce 25.6 million tonnes of pulses and 36.64 million tonnes of oilseeds in this crop year.

The government has also forecast a pick up in demand of cotton.

“There will be increasing demand of cotton this year. We have targeted to produce million bales - up from last year’s estimated production of 34.89 million bales,” Malhotra said.

He advised cotton farmers to complete sowing operation by May 15 and recommended use of tolerant varieties with proper dose of fertilser and urea.