Agri-Data Insights 2025-26
Third Advance Estimates: Comprehensive 58-Slide Deep Dive
Table of Contents
Complete Lecture Notes: Crop Production 2025-26
Exhaustive analysis based on the Third Advance Estimates & State-wise Crop Profiles (2024-25 vs 2025-26).
1. Executive Summary & Macro Data
The agricultural landscape for 2025-26, per the Third Advance Estimates, records India's total food grain production at a historic peak of 3,765.63 Lakh Tonnes (LT), a robust 5.26% increase from the 3,577.32 LT recorded in 2024-25. Total Cereals jumped to 3,491.54 LT (+5.15%), Total Pulses recovered to 274.09 LT (+6.72%), and Total Oilseeds remained largely flat at 430.59 LT (+0.16%).
State-wise Total Food Grains Dominance
- Area: Uttar Pradesh leads with 220.86 Lakh Ha (up from 213.79), followed by MP and Rajasthan.
- Production: Uttar Pradesh maintains #1 at 653.1 LT, with Madhya Pradesh closing the gap at 528.68 LT (a massive jump from 466.31 LT). Punjab is 3rd at 300.47 LT.
- Yield: Punjab is the undisputed leader at 4383.0 Kg/Ha (though down slightly from 4761.0), followed by Haryana (3954.0) and Andhra Pradesh (3662.0).
2. Cereals Deep Dive & Rankings
Cereal production was driven by massive growth in Maize and stable performances in Rice and Wheat. Total Cereals hit 3491.54 LT.
Rice (1540.24 LT, +2.5%)
UP remains the powerhouse in area (69.89 Lakh Ha) and Production (198.05 LT). Telangana showed remarkable production growth (185.29 LT, overtaking West Bengal for 2nd place). AP holds the highest yield at 3993 Kg/Ha.
Wheat (1206.57 LT, +2.3%)
UP leads area and production (358.77 LT). MP is a strong second (264.43 LT). Punjab's unparalleled irrigation gives it the highest yield of 4938 Kg/Ha.
Maize (550.93 LT, +26.9% Surge)
The standout crop due to ethanol policies. MP saw a colossal jump in production from 66.42 to 100.49 LT, securing the #1 spot. Karnataka and Maharashtra follow. AP boasts the highest yield at 7447 Kg/Ha.
Nutri/Coarse Cereals & Millets
Bajra: Rajasthan completely dominates area (39.39 Lakh Ha) and production (44.82 LT). Jowar: Maharashtra leads (16.14 LT). Ragi: Karnataka is the primary producer (14.74 LT), though Tamil Nadu has the best yield (2486 Kg/Ha).
3. Pulses Deep Dive & Rankings
Total Pulses recovered to 274.09 LT (+6.7%). Rajasthan holds the most area, but Madhya Pradesh is the highest producer.
Gram (Chickpea) - 125.14 LT
Maharashtra overtook MP in area (29.06 L.Ha) and production (33.24 LT). Gujarat leads yield (1861 Kg/Ha).
Tur (Pigeon Pea) - 35.92 LT
Karnataka has max area, but Maharashtra leads production (11.79 LT). West Bengal has the best yield.
Moong - 44.92 LT
Rajasthan leads area, but MP narrowly beats it in production (18.39 vs 13.89 LT) and yield.
Lentil - 17.62 LT
UP and MP dominate. UP slightly edges out MP in production (7.32 vs 6.21 LT).
4. Oilseeds Landscape
Stagnant YoY at 430.59 LT, masking internal shifts. Soybean crashed, while Mustard and Groundnut grew.
- Rapeseed & Mustard (137.68 LT): Rajasthan is the undisputed king (62.68 LT production, 39.69 L.Ha area). UP and Haryana follow. Haryana has the best yield.
- Groundnut (130.74 LT): Gujarat is the massive leader (62.67 LT), followed by Rajasthan. WB has the highest yield.
- Soybean (125.96 LT): MP remains the top producer (59.4 LT) despite a drop in area. Maharashtra saw a huge crash in production (73.7 down to 48.51 LT).
- Castorseed (21.57 LT): Gujarat dominates entirely (15.44 LT).
5. Commercial Crops
Sugarcane (5000.63 LT, +10%)
UP produces nearly half the country's sugarcane (2296.99 LT). Maharashtra is second (1316.49 LT). Tamil Nadu has staggering yields (109180 Kg/Ha).
Cotton (290.24 Lakh Bales)
Maharashtra has the most area (38.55 L.Ha) and production (77.55 LB). Gujarat is a close second in production. West Bengal strangely records the highest yield.
Jute & Mesta (94.03 Lakh Bales)
West Bengal is a near-monopoly, leading area (4.71 L.Ha), Production (76.97 LB), and Yield (2944 Kg/Ha).
