Centre Sets 373.93 MT Foodgrain Target for 2026-27, Rules Out El Nino Crisis
India has set a foodgrain production target of 373.93 million tonne for 2026-27, with the Agriculture Minister saying a 12% rainfall deficit is unlikely to hit output.
The Union government has set a foodgrain production target of 373.93 million tonne for 2026-27, Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said on Tuesday, while ruling out any major national crisis arising from the prevailing El Nino conditions.
The new target is 2.63 million tonne lower than the actual production of 376.56 million tonne recorded in 2025-26. The Rabi season accounts for 177.72 million tonne of the overall goal. Mr. Chouhan said the figure rests on a scientific assessment of El Nino conditions, and that the Kharif harvest is expected to be better than last year. For comparison, the target for 2025-26 stood at 362 million tonne against actual output of 376.56 million tonne.
Speaking to reporters after a two-day national agricultural conference on Rabi crops, the Minister said the country's rainfall deficit is currently around 12%. A situation is generally treated as a drought only when the shortfall crosses 20% over the relevant period, he noted, adding that he did not expect production to be significantly affected at this level of deficit.
He acknowledged that Karnataka, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Rajasthan are facing drought-like conditions, and said detailed reports from the States are still awaited. A Central team will visit Karnataka on October 3.
To cope with areas of low rainfall, depleted reservoir levels and weak soil moisture, the government intends to discourage water-intensive crops and promote pulses and oilseeds instead. Mr. Chouhan said the production targets were framed with these considerations in mind.
On trade, the Minister said the Centre will hold discussions with States to spread awareness among farmers about the benefits of various free trade agreements. Several international markets will be open to Indian agricultural products at zero import duty, he said, making it important for farmers to know which products are in demand abroad and what quality standards they must meet to be eligible for export. An awareness campaign will cover global market opportunities, products covered under the FTAs, export-quality requirements, and the crops, fruits and vegetables that can be cultivated for overseas markets.
Asked about the recent Union government decision to cut import duties on various edible oils, Mr. Chouhan said a balance has to be struck between the interests of farmers and consumers, and that people in the country must get edible oil at a reasonable price.
He also said there is no shortage of fertilisers in the country and that adequate supplies will be available for the coming Rabi season. Although Kharif acreage has declined for some crops, the overall sown area remains broadly comparable to last year, he added.