Overview Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan released the first advanced estimates of Kharif crop production for 2025-26 . The estimates indicate a record increase in the production of major Kharif crops, with total food grain production expected to rise by 3.87 million tonnes to 173.33 million tonnes . This positive outlook is attributed to favorable monsoon rains in most parts of the country, despite some areas experiencing excessive rainfall. Key Highlights Total Food Grain Production: Estimated at 173.33 million tonnes for 2025-26 . Rice Production: Projected at 124.504 million tonnes , an increase of 1.732 million tonnes from the previous year. Maize Production: Estimated at 28.303 million tonnes , up by 3.495 million tonnes compared to last year. Detailed Crop Production Estimates Kharif Rice and Maize The Kharif rice production is estimated to be 124.504 million tonnes , which is 1.732 million tonnes higher than the previous year. Similarly, Kharif maize production is projected at 28.303 million tonnes , showing an increase of 3.495 million tonnes . Coarse Cereals and Pulses The first advance estimates project total Kharif coarse cereals production at 41.414 million tonnes and total Kharif pulses production at 7.413 million tonnes for 2025-26 . Key pulses include: Tur (Arhar): 3.597 million tonnes Urad: 1.205 million tonnes Moong: 1.720 million tonnes Oilseeds, Sugarcane, and Cotton Total Kharif oilseed production in the country is estimated at 27.563 million tonnes for 2025-26 . This includes: Peanut (Groundnut): 11.093 million tonnes , an increase of 0.681 million tonnes from last year. Soybean: 14.266 million tonnes Sugarcane production is estimated at 475.614 million tonnes , showing an increase of 21.003 million tonnes compared to last year. Cotton production is estimated at 29.215 million bales (each bale weighing 170 kilograms ), and production of Patson and Mesta is estimated at 8.345 million bales (each bale weighing kilogrammes). UPSC Relevance This report is highly relevant for the UPSC exam, particularly for GS Paper 3 (Economy and Agriculture) . The data on crop production is crucial for understanding India's food security situation, agricultural trends, and economic planning. The estimates provide insights into the impact of monsoon rainfall on agricultural output and the overall performance of the agricultural sector. Key Areas for UPSC Preparation Agricultural Production Trends: Analyze the trends in the production of major Kharif crops and their implications for the Indian economy. Government Policies: Understand the government's policies and initiatives to enhance agricultural production and productivity. Food Security: Assess the impact of Kharif crop production on India's food security and the challenges in achieving sustainable agricultural growth. Important Facts The estimates are based on yield trends from previous years, ground-level inputs, regional observations, and data received from states. Revisions will be made when actual crop cutting experiment yield data becomes available. Detailed estimates are available on the portal upag.gov.in .