Driven by a good monsoon and area expansion, India is likely to have a bumper grains production of 208-215 million tonne this year.

"This is one of the best agricultural seasons in a number of years and at a conservative estimate, foodgrains production of 208 million tonne is likely," Agriculture Commissioner C D Mayee said.

He said these were initial estimates, but if the weather continues to be favourable, then there will be a sudden jump in production to around 215 million tonne.

Confirming the high production trend, outgoing agriculture secretary R C Jain said, "We are poised for excellent harvest this year."

Addressing the National Conference on Agriculture, he said the government was consulting UN's Food and Agricultural Organisation on devising ways and means to diversify cultivation from wheat-rice to oilseeds-pulses.