The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare has released the Second Advance Estimates for major agricultural crops, including Kharif and Rabi seasons, for the year 2024-25.
Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development, announced the estimates, emphasizing the government’s continued efforts under Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s leadership to support farmers through various schemes and initiatives. The validated estimates have been derived using data from state governments, remote sensing, and crop-cutting experiments.
India’s pulses production remains a key focus area in the latest estimates, ensuring the country’s self-sufficiency and reducing dependency on imports. The Second Advance Estimates report the following figures for pulse crops:
Tur (Pigeon Pea): 3.5 million tonnes
Gram (Chickpea): 11.5 million tonnes
Lentil (Masoor): 1.8 million tonnes
Government’s Support for Pulses Sector
To strengthen pulse production, the Indian government has been implementing various schemes, including:
- National Food Security Mission (NFSM-Pulses) to boost productivity.
- Price Support Schemes (PSS) to ensure fair prices for farmers.
- Incentives for Crop Diversification to encourage pulses cultivation.
The government’s recent decision to extend the free import policy for urad dal until March 2026 and yellow peas until May 2025 further reflects its commitment to maintaining a steady supply and controlling market fluctuations.
Overall Agricultural Outlook
The total Kharif foodgrain production is estimated at 166.39 million tonnes, while Rabi foodgrain production (excluding summer) stands at 164.53 million tonnes.
Key highlights from the broader agricultural estimates include:
Kharif Rice: 120.68 million tonnes (Record)
Wheat: 115.43 million tonnes (Record)
Kharif Maize: 24.81 million tonnes (Record)
Soybean: 15.13 million tonnes (Record)
Sugarcane: 435.08 million tonnes
Future Outlook
While these estimates reflect a positive outlook, final production numbers will depend on climatic conditions, ongoing crop-cutting experiments, and Rabi season yield assessments. The Third Advance Estimates will also incorporate summer crops, providing a clearer picture of the total agricultural output for 2024-25.