India’s foodgrain production up 5% in 2025-26 crop year

What Happened

• India's total foodgrain production in 2025-26 is estimated at 376.563 million tonnes (MT), an all-time record, representing a 5.3% increase over 357.732 MT in 2024-25, according to the Third Advance Estimates of Major Agricultural Crops released by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
• Rice production reached a new high of 154.024 MT (up from 150.184 MT in 2024-25), while wheat output is estimated at a record 120.657 MT (up from 117.945 MT).
• Maize production surged to a record 55.093 MT — an increase of 11.684 MT over the previous year — reflecting the fastest growth among major cereals.
• Total oilseeds production is estimated at 43.059 MT, with rapeseed and mustard at a record 13.768 MT and groundnut at 13.074 MT.
• ICAR released 339 new crop varieties suited to diverse agro-climatic regions of the country in 2025-26, contributing to the productivity gains.

Static Topic Bridges

Advance Estimates System for Agricultural Production

India's Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare releases a series of advance estimates for major agricultural crops every year to provide early projections of production before harvest data is fully available. There are typically four advance estimates during a crop year (July–June), followed by final estimates. The First Advance Estimate (released around September) covers Kharif crops only; subsequent estimates add Rabi and summer (Zaid) crops. The Third Advance Estimate, which incorporates both Kharif and Rabi seasons, provides the most comprehensive picture before the final estimate is published. These estimates are used for policy decisions on procurement, buffer stock management, export-import policy, and price interventions.

Minimum Support Price (MSP) and Procurement Mechanism

The Minimum Support Price (MSP) is the floor price at which the government commits to procure agricultural produce from farmers, shielding them from market price crashes. It is recommended annually by the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) — a statutory body under the Ministry of Agriculture — and approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA). CACP recommends MSPs for 23 crops: 7 cereals, 5 pulses, 7 oilseeds, and 4 commercial crops. Procurement at MSP is conducted primarily by the Food Corporation of India (FCI) for rice and wheat, and by NAFED (National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation) and state agencies for pulses and oilseeds.

Food Corporation of India (FCI) and Buffer Stock Management

Established under the Food Corporations Act, 1964, FCI is the apex statutory body responsible for procurement, storage, preservation, and distribution of foodgrains for the central government. FCI maintains a central pool of rice and wheat procured at MSP, which feeds the PDS and is used for price stabilisation. The CCEA fixes quarterly buffer stock norms (minimum stocks to be maintained for food security and price stabilisation). Excess stocks above buffer norms can be released into the open market under the Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS) to moderate prices.

Green Revolution and Post-Green Revolution Agricultural Technology

India's first Green Revolution (1960s–1970s), driven by high-yielding variety (HYV) seeds, chemical fertilisers, and irrigation expansion, transformed the country from a chronic food-deficit nation to a grain-surplus one. Wheat production surged under Norman Borlaug's dwarf wheat varieties; rice followed with IR-8 and Jaya varieties. The second phase of agricultural productivity growth, driven by ICAR research, includes development of climate-resilient, high-yielding varieties suited to diverse agro-climatic zones. India has 15 agro-climatic zones (as classified by the Planning Commission) and 20 agro-ecological zones (ICAR). ICAR's mandate includes research, education, and extension in agriculture and allied sciences.

National Food Security and PDS Linkage

Record foodgrain production directly underpins India's food security architecture. The National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013 entitles approximately 81.35 crore persons (75% rural, 50% urban population) to subsidised foodgrains — 5 kg/person/month for Priority Households and 35 kg/household/month for AAY households. The government's ability to sustain free grain distribution under PMGKAY (extended to December 2028) depends on FCI's capacity to maintain the central pool through MSP procurement. Surplus production reduces the fiscal risk of maintaining this entitlement, while also creating strategic reserves that can be deployed during droughts or global supply shocks.

Key Facts & Data

• Total foodgrain production 2025-26 (3rd Advance Estimate): 376.563 million tonnes — all-time record
• Previous record (2024-25): 357.732 million tonnes
• Year-on-year increase: +18.831 MT (+5.3%)
• Rice production 2025-26: 154.024 MT (record; up from 150.184 MT)
• Wheat production 2025-26: 120.657 MT (record; up from 117.945 MT)
• Maize production 2025-26: 55.093 MT (record; up 11.684 MT — largest single-year cereal gain)
• Total coarse cereals 2025-26: 74.472 MT
• Total oilseeds 2025-26: 43.059 MT (groundnut: 13.074 MT; rapeseed/mustard: 13.768 MT record; soybean: 12.596 MT)
• Pulses: Gram 12.514 MT; Tur 3.592 MT; Lentil 1.762 MT
• ICAR new varieties released in 2025-26: 339
• Releasing authority: Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
• Estimate type: Third Advance Estimates of Major Agricultural Crops
• India's foodgrain production growth (10 years): 251.54 MT (2015-16) → 376.56 MT (2025-26); ~+125 MT in a decade
• CACP mandate: Recommends MSPs for 23 crops (7 cereals, 5 pulses, 7 oilseeds, 4 commercial crops)
• FCI buffer stock position (July 2025): Wheat ~358 LMT, Rice ~377 LMT vs norms of 275 LMT and 135 LMT respectively