India’s Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare has set a lower foodgrain production target of 373.93 million tonnes for 2026-27, a reduction of 2.63 million tonnes from the previous year’s estimate. This cautious target reflects the impact of an intensifying El Niño and widespread drought conditions across the country.
The target for the upcoming Rabi season has been set at 177.72 million tonnes. The government is advising farmers to move away from water-intensive crops and promote the cultivation of pulses and oilseeds, particularly in areas with low rainfall and soil moisture.
States like Maharashtra and Karnataka are experiencing significant drought, with Maharashtra declaring 265 out of 358 talukas drought-hit. Central teams are being dispatched to assess the drought situation in these states. Approximately 52.5 percent of India’s area is currently under dry or drought conditions.
Source: Down To Earth