The gross value added (GVA) of India’s agriculture and allied sector more than doubled from Rs 20.9 lakh crore in 2014-15 to Rs 48.7 lakh crore in 2023-24, accounting for around 18 per cent of the country’s total GVA, according to an official statement issued on Friday.
The sector recorded a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.83 per cent at current prices during the period, while crop GVA increased from Rs 12,92,874 crore in 2014-15 to Rs 26,52,891 crore in 2023-24.
According to the statement, India’s agricultural sector has witnessed broad-based expansion over the past 12 years, with a focus on strengthening farmers’ productivity, income security, market access, infrastructure, and institutional resilience.
Higher agricultural output, expanded irrigation coverage, improved access to credit, stronger insurance penetration, and growth in allied sectors have contributed to this transformation. Expanded minimum support price (MSP) operations and procurement systems have also strengthened market assurance, ensured remunerative prices, and supported national food security objectives.
The statement noted that digital platforms, cooperatives, food processing initiatives, and climate-resilient agricultural practices have created new opportunities across the value chain, reflecting a gradual shift towards a more diversified, technology-driven, and farmer-centric agricultural system.
Government schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) have expanded irrigation coverage and promoted efficient water use. The Soil Health Card Scheme has supported scientific nutrient management, while the Rashtriya Gokul Mission has helped improve indigenous cattle breeds and dairy productivity.
India’s total foodgrain production increased from 265.05 million tonnes in 2013-14 to 357.73 million tonnes in 2024-25. Rice production reached a record 150.18 million tonnes, while wheat output touched 117.94 million tonnes in 2024-25, representing growth of 42 per cent and 36 per cent, respectively, over the period.
The country’s dependence on edible oil imports declined from 63.2 per cent in 2015-16 to 56.25 per cent in 2023-24. During the same period, the area under oilseed cultivation expanded by more than 18 per cent, production rose nearly 55 per cent, and productivity increased by around 31 per cent.
Horticulture production also registered steady growth, rising from 280.70 million tonnes in 2013-14 to 369.05 million tonnes in 2024-25. The increase reflects a growing shift towards high-value crops, supported by improved farming practices and stronger market demand.
-IANS
