India’s foodgrain production is projected to drop by 1.78 percent in the 2015-16 kharif seasons due to poor monsoon and drought like situation in some states. The cumulative rainfall during the current monsoon season has been deficient by 15% compared to deficit of 12% in 2014-15.
(Union Minister of Agriculture – Shri Radha Mohan Singh)
According to the Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare current estimates of kharif crops are shown below in comparison with previous estimates.
| Crop | 1st Advance estimates 2015-16 (Lakh tonnes) | Comparison with 1st advance estimates 2014-15 (Lakh tonnes) |
| Foodgrains | 124.05 | 3.78 ↑ |
| Rice | 90.61 | 2.59 ↑ |
| Coarse Cereals | 27.88 | 0.83 ↑ |
| Pulses | 5.56 | 0.36 ↑ |
| Urad | 1.37 | 0.22 ↑ |
| Moong | 0.86 | 0.15 ↑ |
| Oilseeds | 19.89 | 0.23 ↑ |
| Soyabean | 11.83 | 0.17 ↑ |
| Groundnut | 5.11 | 0.8 ↑ |
| Castorseed | 1.94 | 0.19 ↓ |
| Cotton | 33.51 | 1.12 ↓ |
| Sugarcane | 341.43 | 1.36 ↓ |
| Maize | 15.51 | 0.52 ↓ |
| Tur | 2.61 | 0.13 ↓ |
| Jute | 10.28 | 5.86 ↓ |
These are preliminary estimates and would undergo revision based on further feedback received from the States. Four estimates done before the final one.
Timely onset of monsoon as well as Government multiple interventions with contingency plans, timely advisories and regular monitoring of seed and fertilizer availability estimated production of most of the crops during current kharif season has been higher in comparison to the first advance estimates for 2014-15.
WHAT ARE KHARIF CROPS?
Kharif crops or monsoon crops are plants cultivated and harvested during the rainy season which lasts between April and October.
• Sowing Season: May to July.
• Harvesting Season: September to October.
• Important Crops: Jowar, Bajra, Rice, Maize, Cotton, Groundnut, Jute etc.