Kharif foodgrain production likely to be record 144.52 million tonnes in 2020-21
On Friday, Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said that the Foodgrain production stood at 143.38 million tons amid the 2019-20 Kharif season, as per official data.Foodgrain production is pegged at a record 144.52 million tons in the 2020-21 Kharif season regardless of COVID-19 emergency.
Currently, the harvesting of Kharif crops is underway. Rice is the most Kharif crop. “Foodgrain production will be way better than the last year. As per the initial gauges, foodgrain production is anticipated to be 144.52 million tons in the 2020-21 Kharif season,” Mr. Tomar said tending to a digital conference organised by industry body CII.
He said, Production of cash crops such as sugarcane and cotton is also anticipated to be good. He further added, despite the COVID-19 widespread, there has been a record increase in area sown to Kharif crops by 4.51% to 1,121.75 lakh hectares this year.
Mr. Tomar said agribusiness is the pillar of the Indian economy. The sector grew 3.4% amid the first quarter of the 2020-21 fiscal even as the entire economy showed a decline within the said period. On the new farm laws, the Minister stated that agriculturists are being “misled” about the changes and reiterated that procurement at minimum support price as well as mandis will proceed to operate over the nation.