♦ The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare has released final estimates of production of major agricultural crops for the year 2023-24. The total food grain production in the country during 2023-24 is estimated at record over three thousand 322 lakh metric tonnes which is 26 lakh metric tonnes higher, compared to 2022-23.

♦ Rice production touched a record 137.82 million tonne, up from 135.75 million tonne in 2022-23. Wheat output also hit a high of 113.29 million tonne as compared to 110.55 million tonne the previous year (2022-23). However, pulses production declined to 24.24 million tonne from 26.05 million tonne and oilseeds output fell to 39.66 million tonne from 41.35 million tonne.

♦ Sugarcane production decreased to 453.15 million tonne from 490.53 million tonne, and cotton output fell to 32.52 million bales (1 bale equals to 170 kg) from 33.66 million bales.