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El Niño Fears Prompt India to Lower 2026-27 Foodgrain Production Target
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CNBC TV18•29-09-2026, 19:56
El Niño Fears Prompt India to Lower 2026-27 Foodgrain Production Target
- •India has set a lower foodgrain production target of 373.93 million tonnes for the 2026-27 crop year due to El Niño concerns, a decrease of 2.63 million tonnes from the previous year's actual production.
- •The target includes 196.21 million tonnes for the kharif season and 177.72 million tonnes for the rabi season, with planning adjusted for regional variations in rainfall and water availability.
- •The government aims to shift away from water-intensive crops in drought-affected areas, promoting pulses and oilseeds instead, and is consulting with states on suitable crop varieties.
- •Despite a 12 percent rainfall deficit nationally, the government does not anticipate a significant drop in overall kharif foodgrain production, with contingency measures in place for specific regions.
- •Fertilizer availability is adequate for the upcoming rabi season, and the government is addressing concerns in states like Karnataka and Maharashtra regarding drought and flood impacts.
Key Questions Answered
The government has set a lower national foodgrain production target of 373.93 million tonnes for the 2026-27 crop year amid El Niño weather concerns, which is down by 2.63 million tonnes from actual production in 2025-26.
Planning aims to avoid water-intensive crops in low-rainfall areas with low reservoir levels and soil moisture, focusing instead on cultivating crops like pulses and oilseeds.
The total fertilizer requirement for 2026-27 has been estimated at 380 lakh tonnes based on state requirements, with the current opening stock exceeding 163 lakh tonnes.
