India@75: Over 500% jump in foodgrain production since Independence

NEW DELHI: In an overall boost to the rural economy, India's foodgrain production witnessed a whopping 500% rise since its Independence.


Even though India has been primarily an agrarian economy, 85% of the population (total population 1951 – 36.10 crores) lived in villages and derived their livelihood from agriculture, the country was not self-sufficient in food-grains (1950 – 50.8 million tonnes). The average availability of food was not only deficient in quantity but also uncertain, as there were regular famines.

As the data released by the government shows, India produced 50.82 million tonnes of foodgrains in 1950-51. The production has increased 6-folds since then.

In 2021-22, India recorded the highest ever foodgrain production of 314.51 million tonnes.


Union minister for agriculture and farmers welfare Shri Narender Singh Tomar had said that the new record of foodgrains production in the country is the result of hard work of farmers, efficient research of scientists and farmer friendly policies of the government.

In addition, per capita availablity of edible oils witnessed 6-fold growth since Independence. 384.98 lakh tonnes of oilseeds were produced during the year 2021-22.

As per the National Food Security Mission, oilseeds and oil palm have augmented the availability of vegetable oils and reduced import of edible oils.



Total production of rice during 2021-22is estimated at record 127.93 million tonnes. It is higher by 11.49 million tonnes than the last five years’ average production of 116.44 million tonnes.

Production of wheat during 2021-22is estimated at record 111.32 million tonnes. It is higher by 7.44 million tonnes than the average wheat production of 103.88 million tonnes.

Banking on forecasts of normal and fairly well distributed rainfall during the upcoming monsoon season, the agriculture ministry set a new record target of foodgrain production in the country for the 2022-23 crop year.


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