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India's Agriculture Sector Booms with 10.4% Growth, Record Foodgrain Harvest

India's agriculture and allied sector Gross Value Added (GVA) grew by 10.4% at current prices in 2024-25. Foodgrain production is estimated at a record 3,577.32 lakh metric tonnes, marking a significant 7.65% increase over the previous year. The government has substantially increased the budget for the Agriculture Department and raised Minimum Support Prices (MSPs) for crops. An integrated strategy focusing on production, cost reduction, and better price realization is being implemented to enhance farmers' incomes.

Key Points: India's Agriculture GVA Hits 10.4%, Foodgrain Output at Record High

  • Record 10.4% GVA growth in agriculture
  • Foodgrain output hits 3,577 LMT
  • Budget allocation substantially enhanced
  • MSP increased for all mandated crops
2 min read

India's agriculture GVA recorded 10.4 per cent growth in 2024-25: Minister

India's agriculture sector records 10.4% GVA growth in 2024-25, with foodgrain production reaching a record 3,577 LMT, a 7.65% increase year-on-year.

"The total foodgrain production...is estimated at a record 3,577.32 lakh metric tonnes - Minister Ramnath Thakur"

New Delhi, Feb 3

The Gross Value Added in India's agriculture and allied sector, including crops, livestock, fisheries and horticulture at current prices, was recorded at 10.4 per cent in 2024-25, the Parliament was informed on Tuesday.

Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Ramnath Thakur told the Lok Sabha in a written reply to a question that, in addition, the total foodgrain production in the country during 2024-25 is estimated at a record 3,577.32 lakh metric tonnes (LMT), which represents a 7.65 per cent increase over the corresponding figure of 3322.98 LMT achieved during 2023-24.

He said that the government is carrying out an examination of the key factors influencing agricultural growth, including farm incomes, input costs, climate variability, irrigation coverage, access to credit and market linkages as a continuous process through various studies undertaken from time to time, field-level visits by officers and high-level periodic reviews.

The government is following an integrated strategy for enhancing the farmers' incomes and comprehensive growth of the agriculture sector, which includes an increase in crop production, reduction in the cost of production and better price realisation of farmers' produce to enhance their incomes, the minister added.

Agricultural diversification, developing post-harvest value addition and adaptation to climate change for sustainable agriculture,and mitigating against crop losses are other elements of the strategy.

He further stated that the government has substantially enhanced the budget allocation of the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare from Rs 21,933.50 crore in the budget during 2013-14 to Rs 1,27,290.16 crore during 2025-26. Additionally, it has increased MSPs for all mandated kharif, rabi, and other commercial crops with a minimum return of 50 per cent over all India weighted average cost of production from 2018-19 onwards.

The government has also implemented various policies, reforms, developmental programs, and schemes from time to time, covering the entire spectrum of agriculture, to ensure the welfare and increase the income of farmers in the country by increasing production, remunerative returns and providing income support. These schemes encompass entire spectrum of agriculture including farm incomes, input costs, climate variability, irrigation coverage, access to credit and market linkages insurance, income support, infrastructure, crops including horticulture, seeds, mechanisation, organic and natural farming, farmer collectives, irrigation, extension, procurement of crops from farmers at minimum support prices and digital agriculture, his reply added.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
The numbers look impressive on paper, but I wonder how much of this growth is actually reaching the small and marginal farmers in villages. The increase in MSP is good, but procurement at MSP needs to be more widespread. Climate change is a real threat; hope the adaptation strategies are robust.
A
Arjun K
Focus on post-harvest value addition and digital agriculture is the need of the hour. We waste so much produce due to lack of storage and processing units. If the budget increase is used correctly for cold chains and food processing parks, it can be a game-changer for rural incomes.
S
Sarah B
As someone working in sustainable development, I'm glad to see climate adaptation mentioned in the strategy. India's agricultural growth is crucial not just for the economy but for global food security. The integrated approach covering credit, insurance, and market links is comprehensive. Hope the execution matches the plan.
M
Meera T
My father is a farmer in Punjab. While MSP increases are welcome, the rising cost of diesel, fertilizers, and seeds eats away most of the profit. The government must focus on "reduction in cost of production" as seriously as they mention. Direct benefit transfers for inputs have helped, but more is needed.
K
Karthik V
The growth in allied sectors like fisheries and horticulture is often under-reported but so important for diversification and nutrition. Good to see them included in the GVA. Encouraging farmer collectives and FPOs can give small farmers better bargaining power in the market. A step in the right direction.

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