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The agriculture ministry anticipates a significant rise in the output of rice, maize, and pulses for the upcoming kharif season, supported by surplus rainfall and favorable planting conditions. Cotton production is expected to decline due to reduced sowing areas, driven by crop diversification. Early reports suggest that paddy sowing has increased by over 4% compared to last year, while cotton acreage has dropped by 9%. The ministry has set an ambitious target of 340 million tonnes of food grains for the 2024-25 crop year.

Key Highlights

# Kharif rice and pulses production is set to rise.

# Cotton output is likely to decline due to lower sowing.

# Paddy sowing has increased by 4% year-on-year.

# Pulses area is up by 7.8%, with a strong outlook for tur and moong.

# Cotton sowing is down by 9% amid crop diversification efforts.

Rice and pulses are poised for higher output this kharif season, backed by favorable monsoon rains and improved planting areas. Paddy sowing has surged by over 4% on-year to 41 million hectares (MH), supporting expectations of increased production. Maize and tur also show strong growth prospects. However, cotton output is forecast to drop, as sowing has fallen by 9% to 11.24 MH, largely due to crop diversification. Traders anticipate mixed results in the pulses sector, with robust tur yields but potential disruptions in urad production due to excess rains.

Rice prices are expected to stabilize as the increase in planting acreage and healthy monsoon conditions should lead to a comfortable supply. Cotton prices may rise due to anticipated lower output. Meanwhile, pulses prices could face upward pressure in the short term, especially for urad, as traders await more conclusive crop estimates.

The agriculture ministry has set a record food grains target of 340 million tonnes for the 2024-25 crop year, aiming for a 3.4% increase from the previous year. Stakeholder meetings are ongoing to assess the first advance estimates. The overall monsoon season has delivered above-normal rainfall, with 77% of districts receiving adequate precipitation, further supporting crop growth.

Finally

While rice and pulses show growth, cotton production will likely decline, impacting prices amid a diverse cropping pattern shift.

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