India has achieved a record food grain output in 2024–25, marking a strong improvement over last year. The latest government data shows a 7.65% annual increase, supported mainly by higher rice and wheat production. Further, this rise also comes at a time when rice prices in India continue to influence both domestic consumption and the country’s export strategy.
Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, released the final crop estimates in New Delhi. He credited the nation’s farmers for delivering an impressive performance during the year.
Key Highlights of India’s Food Output 2024–25
India’s total food grain production has reached 3,577.32 lakh metric tonnes (357.7 million tonnes), up from 3322.98 LMT last year.
Rice Production Hits a New Record
Rice output rose sharply to 1,501.84 LMT, which is 123.59 LMT higher than last year’s 1,378.25 LMT. This strong growth reinforces India’s position as a major global supplier and highlights the sector’s expanding role in meeting both domestic and international demand.
Wheat Output Shows Strong Growth
Wheat production touched 1,179.45 LMT, adding 46.53 LMT over the previous year. This improvement boosts India’s food security and stabilizes domestic availability.
Steady Gains in Pulses and Oilseeds
Pulses production rose by almost 6%, reaching 256.83 LMT. The increase of 14.37 LMT reflects rising yields, especially in moong.
Oilseed output grew by nearly 8%, touching 430 LMT. Soybean reached 152.68 LMT, while groundnut climbed to 119.42 LMT.
Growth in Maize and Millets
Maize production is now at 434.09 LMT, up from 376.65 LMT. Millets, known as ‘Shri Anna,’ recorded 185.92 LMT, which shows a steady increase as well.
A Decade of Rising Output
The government highlighted a long-term improvement in food grain output. From 251.54 million tonnes in 2015–16, India added more than 106 million tonnes in the last decade, reaching a new peak of 357.73 million tonnes.
Year-on-Year Production Comparison
| Crop | 2023–24 | 2024–25 |
| Rice | 1378.25 LMT | 1501.84 LMT |
| Wheat | 1132.07 LMT | 1179.45 LMT |
| Coarse Grains | 569.36 LMT | 639.21 LMT |
| Pulses | 242.46 LMT | 256.83 LMT |
| Oilseeds | ~396.69 LMT | 429.89 LMT |
| Sugarcane | 4531.58 LMT | 4546.11 LMT |
| Cotton (170kg bales) | 325.22 lakh | 297.24 lakh |
| Total Food Grains | 3322.98 LMT | 3577.32 LMT |
Conclusion
In conclusion, India’s strong rise in food grain production for 2024–25 reflects consistent growth across major crops, especially rice and wheat. This surge not only strengthens national food security but also supports India’s position in global trade. Moreover, the sharp increase in rice output helps boost the country’s export potential, which is crucial as India continues to compete with the top 10 rice exporters in India and other leading suppliers worldwide. As production improves year after year, India is now better positioned to meet domestic demand, stabilize prices, and expand its role in the global agricultural market.