2025-26 foodgrain production estimated at record 376 MT

NEW DELHI: India is estimated to have produced a record 376 million tonnes (MT) of foodgrains in 2025-26 crop year, which is 5.3% higher than the 357 MT reported in the previous year, said agriculture ministry while releasing latest estimates of crop production on Wednesday.For 2026-27 crop year, ministry has been gearing up to minimise the impact of El Nino on the sowing season.IMD has predicted ‘below normal’ monsoon rainfall amid growing risk of El Nino – a climatic phenomenon which is invariably associated with weak monsoon in India. Records show that such conditions reduced output of key Kharif crops such as paddy and maize by more than 10% in 77 and 65 districts, in different states across India in the past.Beginning Thursday, ministry will organise a two-day national conference chaired by agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Kharif crops to deal with El Nino risks, climate-resilient agriculture, natural farming, pulses and oilseeds production, digital agriculture, finance and risk management.