๐๐ป๐ฑ๐ถ๐ฎ ๐๐ด๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฐ๐๐น๐๐๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐ง๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ป๐๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ๐บ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐๐ฟ๐ถ๐๐ฒ๐ ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ฑ ๐ข๐๐๐ฝ๐๐ ๐ถ๐ป ๐ญ๐ฎ ๐ฌ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐
India's agriculture sector has changed over the past 12 years. A government paper released this month shows the shift. The report is titled Empowering India's Annadatas.
Agricultural policy has moved from welfare to productivity. It now focuses on market access, income security, and resilience.
Agriculture accounts for nearly 18 per cent of India's Gross Value Added. The sector's GVA more than doubled from Rs 20.9 lakh crore in 2014-15 to Rs 48.7 lakh crore in 2023-24.
Government spending on agriculture has risen sharply. Budgetary allocation for the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare grew from Rs 27,663 crore in 2013-14 to over Rs 1.4 lakh crore in 2026-27.
Foodgrain production increased from 265 million tonnes in 2013-14 to a record 357.7 million tonnes in 2024-25.
Key production figures for 2024-25 include:
- Rice at 150.18 million tonnes
- Wheat at 117.94 million tonnes
- Maize at 43.4 million tonnes
India is now the world's largest rice producer. The government credits schemes such as the National Food Security and Nutrition Mission.
Oilseeds production rose from 27.5 million tonnes in 2014-15 to nearly 43 million tonnes in 2024-25. This has reduced dependence on imported edible oils.
Horticulture production grew from 280.7 million tonnes in 2013-14 to 369 million tonnes in 2024-25.
The government has strengthened farmers' financial security through expanded procurement and higher Minimum Support Prices. Crop insurance coverage has expanded. Access to institutional credit has increased. Irrigation infrastructure investments aim to reduce dependence on monsoon rainfall.
Technology and digital platforms now play a larger role. Initiatives include digital agriculture, farmer databases, and online marketplaces.
The government has also pushed climate-resilient farming, food processing, cooperatives, dairy, and fisheries.
Challenges remain. These include climate variability, fragmented landholdings, and market volatility.
The report states the goal is a technology-driven, farmer-centric system to deliver higher incomes, greater sustainability, and long-term food security.
Agriculture remains central to India's goal of becoming a developed economy by 2047. Nearly half of India's population depends on farming and allied activities for livelihoods.