Indian farmers to harvest record rice, wheat crops this year

India is expected to produce a record 107.18 million tonnes of wheat this year, the farm ministry said in its third forecast for the crop year to June 2020, marginally higher than a previous estimate of 106.21 million tonnes.

Rice output in the world’s biggest exporter and No. 2 producer is estimated at 117.94 million tonnes against 117.47 million tonnes forecast in February.

The farm ministry forecast this year’s total grains output at a record 295.67 million tonnes, up 1.27 per cent from the previous estimate 291.95 million tonnes.

The government cut rapeseed output estimates to 8.70 million tonnes from 9.11 million tonnes estimated in February.

Production of chickpea, a popular variety of pulses, is likely to be 10.90 million tonnes down from 11.22 million tonnes estimated earlier.