The Centre has set a target to achieve a record foodgrain production of 270.10 million tonnes (mt) in 2016-17 crop year on hopes of bountiful rains after two consecutive drought years.
The country had last achieved a record output of 265.04 mt in 2013-14.
However, the production in 2014-15 and 2015-16 fell to 252.02 mt and 253.23 mt, respectively, due to drought in more than ten States.
“We have set an ambitious target at 270.10 mt for the 2016-17 crop year (July-June), which is much higher than the last year’s target of 264.10 mt,” a senior Agriculture Ministry official told PTI.
Higher target has been kept keeping in view the possibility of good monsoon and impact of several schemes like soil health card and Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bhima Yojana, the official added.