The government has set an ambitious target to achieve a record foodgrains production of 270.10 million tonnes (MT) in 2016-17 crop year (July-June) on hopes of bountiful rains. This target is much higher than the last year’s target of 264.10 MT and even higher than the actual output of record 265.04 MT achieved in 2013-14. The production in 2014-15 and 2015-16 however fell to 252.02 MT and 253.23 MT, respectively, due to drought in more than ten states.
Among foodgrains category, the government is aiming record rice output of 108.50 MT, wheat at 96.50 MT, coarse cereals at 44.35 MT and pulses at 20.75 MT in 2016-17. In case of cash crops, the government is aiming sugarcane output of 355 MT, cotton at 36 million bales (170 kg) and jute/mesta at 11.70 million bales (of 180 kg).
As per the third advance estimated of the Agriculture Ministry, rice production in 2015-16 is estimated to be down at 103.36 MT, wheat at 94.04 MT, coarse cereals 37.78 MT and pulses at 17.06 MT.