India has forecast a record output of 284.83 million tonnes of foodgrain in the 2017-18 crop year ending June, according to the final round of the four quarterly projections, known as advance estimates, released by the ministry of agriculture & farmers’ welfare on Tuesday.
In February, the second advance estimates had projected 277.5 million tonnes output. In May, when the third quarterly estimates were released, foodgrain output was revised upward to 279.5 million tonnes.
The latest estimates come on the back of higher production of wheat, rice, coarse cereals and pulses after a normal monsoon last year, as per the ministry.
Wheat output has been projected to touch a record 99.70 million tonnes, rice 112.91 million tonnes, pulses 25.23 million tonnes for the 2017-18 crop year. Output of coarse cereals is expected to touch a record 46.99 million tonnes, higher than 43.77 million tonnes in 2016-17. The previous record foodgrain output was 275.11 million tonnes, in 2016-17.