Monsoon forecast normal, govt eyes record grain yield

NEW DELHI: Backed by the IMD's forecast of "normal" monsoon this year, the agriculture ministry on Wednesday set the national foodgrain production target at an all-time high of 332 million tonnes for the 2023-24 crop year - which is eight million tonnes (2.5%) higher than the output in the previous crop year. The move will see stakeholders use multiple interventions to reach the target, giving a boost to the rural economy. The target was set at a meeting on preparedness for the upcoming kharif (summer sown crops) season, beginning June.
The IMD had last month predicted that monsoon is likely to be "normal" with a 49% probability of "normal to above normal" rainfall during June-September season.
Since the IMD also predicted the possibility of El Nino which may adversely affect the second half (August-September) of the kharif season, the ministry has advised states to be prepared for the depressed rainfall scenario and ensure adequate availability of drought-resistant seeds and other inputs.
Highlighting that India's agriculture sector has been witnessing robust growth at an average annual rate of 4.6% for the last six years, agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar said, "This has enabled agriculture and allied activities sector to contribute significantly towards country overall growth, development and food security."