Parliament Question: Surplus production of wheat and rice

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. - 2441 TO BE ANSWERED ON 13/03/2026 SURPLUS PRODUCTION OF WHEAT AND RICE 2441. SHRI P. P. SUNEER: Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE be pleased to state: (a) whether it is a fact that the production of wheat and rice has increased recently and Government is facing surplus situation; (b) if so, the details thereof; (c) whether the increase in production is due to the improved productivity or the increased area of cultivation of the food grains, the details thereof; and (d) whether it is a fact that the incentive bonus being given to the farmers to increase the production has been stopped by Central Government and States have been asked to discourage farmers to produce food grains? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE (SHRI BHAGIRATH CHOUDHARY) (a) & (b): The wheat production during 2024-25 is estimated at a record 1179.45 LMT, which is 46.53 LMT higher than the previous year’s production of 1132.92 LMT. Similarly, total rice production in 2024-25 is estimated at a record 1501.84 LMT, which is 123.59 LMT higher than the previous year’s production of 1378.25 LMT. The total stock of wheat and rice available in central pool as on 16.02.2026 is 248.27 Lakh Metric Tonnes (LMT) and 352.61 LMT, respectively, against foodgrain stocking norms of 138.00 LMT for wheat and 76.10 LMT for rice. (c): The increase in the production of both wheat and rice during 2024-25 is attributed to both expanded area coverage and improved productivity during last few years. Also, the increase in production is due to adoption of developed various production and protection technologies to address the challenges of various biotic and abiotic stresses. These include development of high yielding climate resilient varieties, cost effective and efficient pre & post-harvest technologies, etc. The details of area, production and productivity of wheat and rice during the last 5 years are as under: Year 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 Area in Lakh Ha Wheat 311.25 304.59 314.01 318.33 328.04 Rice 457.69 462.79 478.32 478.28 512.67 Production in Lakh Tonnes Wheat 1095.86 1077.42 1105.54 1132.92 1179.45 Rice 1243.68 1294.71 1357.55 1378.25 1501.84 Yield in Kg/Ha Wheat 3521 3537 3521 3559 3595 R Rice 2717 2798 2838 2882 2929 (d): A letter dated 9th January, 2026 was written by the Secretary (Expenditure) to the Chief Secretaries of the States containing certain suggestion for the State Governments to align their bonus policies with national priorities. *****