India's agricultural sector continues to serve as the backbone of the economy by ensuring food security, rural livelihoods, employment generation and export growth. According to the PIB Backgrounder released by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, India has achieved record agricultural production, expanded its global leadership in several commodities, strengthened value-added exports and implemented comprehensive policy interventions to build a resilient, technology-driven and sustainable agricultural production system.Agriculture and allied activities contribute nearly one-fifth of India's Gross Value Added (GVA), employ approximately 46.1% of the workforce, support around 55% of the population, and have recorded an average annual growth rate of about 4.4% (constant prices) during the last five years.
India's agricultural sector remains one of the strongest pillars of the economy by ensuring food availability, nutritional security, rural employment and export competitiveness. The increasing adoption of improved farming practices, digital technologies, irrigation expansion and policy support has significantly enhanced agricultural resilience against climatic and market uncertainties.
| Indicator | Status |
|---|---|
| Share in Gross Value Added (GVA) | Nearly 20% |
| Workforce dependent | 46.1% |
| Population supported | Nearly 55% |
| Average Agricultural Growth (Last 5 Years) | 4.4% |
The sector has gradually transformed from merely ensuring food security to becoming a major contributor to exports, value addition and rural income generation.
India achieved its highest-ever foodgrain production during the agricultural year 2024–25, reflecting improved productivity, better input management and sustained government support.
| Agricultural Year | Production |
|---|---|
| 2024–25 | 357.73 Million Metric Tonnes (MMT) |
The production increased by 25.43 MMT over the previous year.
The record production was primarily driven by higher output of:
This reflects India's strengthening domestic food production capacity and improved agricultural productivity.
One of the most significant structural changes in Indian agriculture has been the rapid expansion of horticulture, indicating diversification towards high-value agriculture.
| Indicator | Production |
|---|---|
| Total Horticulture Output (2024–25) | 362.08 Million Tonnes |
According to the Second Advance Estimates, horticulture production increased substantially over the last decade.
| Year | Production |
|---|---|
| 2013–14 | 280.70 Million Tonnes |
| 2024–25 | 367.72 Million Tonnes |
| Commodity | Production |
|---|---|
| Fruits | 114.51 Million Tonnes |
| Vegetables | 219.67 Million Tonnes |
| Other Horticultural Crops | 33.54 Million Tonnes |
The increasing contribution of horticulture reflects a shift from traditional cereal-based agriculture towards high-value crops, which generate greater farmer income and export potential.
India today possesses one of the world's most diversified agricultural systems.Key strengths include:
This diversified production base enhances India's contribution to global food security while reducing dependence on imports.
India is the second-largest producer of rice in the world.
| Indicator | 2024–25 |
|---|---|
| Production | 150.18 Million Tonnes |
Rice continues to be India's largest agricultural export commodity.
USD 12.95 BillionThis reinforces India's role as one of the world's leading suppliers of staple food grains.
India is also the second-largest producer of wheat globally.
| Indicator | 2024–25 |
|---|---|
| Production | 117.94 Million Tonnes |
The geographic concentration of wheat production supports India's food security as well as procurement under the Public Distribution System.
India continues to remain the largest producer of pulses in the world.
| Indicator | 2024–25 |
|---|---|
| Production | 25.68 Million Tonnes |
USD 855 MillionPulses play an important role in ensuring nutritional security, protein availability and sustainable agriculture through nitrogen fixation.
India retained its position as the largest producer of millets globally.
| Indicator | 2024–25 |
|---|---|
| Production | 18.59 Million Tonnes |
USD 59.20 MillionMillets are increasingly gaining international recognition due to their:
The promotion of Shree Anna also aligns with climate-smart farming and nutritional security objectives.
The record production of foodgrains and horticultural crops demonstrates India's successful transition towards resilient, technology-enabled and diversified agricultural production systems. Strong performance in cereals, pulses and millets has enhanced India's contribution to global food security, while the expansion of horticulture indicates increasing emphasis on value addition, nutritional security and higher farm incomes. These developments lay the foundation for greater agricultural exports, sustainable production and long-term rural prosperity.
Established:1947 (as Ministry of Agriculture)Current Name Adopted:2015Headquarters:New DelhiPresent Union Minister:Shivraj Singh Chouhan
India's Resilient Production Systems in Agriculture
Press Information Bureau (PIB)Ministry:Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
Horticulture has emerged as one of the fastest-growing segments of Indian agriculture, contributing significantly to farm diversification, nutritional security, export earnings and higher farmer incomes. The sustained increase in horticultural production reflects India's gradual transition from quantity-driven agriculture towards high-value agriculture.
India is the second-largest producer of fruits and vegetables in the world.
| Commodity | Production |
|---|---|
| Fruits | 114.51 Million Tonnes |
| Vegetables | 219.67 Million Tonnes |
Exports of fruits and vegetables during 2024–25 amounted to:USD 1,818.56 MillionThe increasing export of fresh horticultural produce reflects growing international demand for Indian fruits and vegetables.
India occupies the first position globally in dry onion production.
Approximately 25% of total world production.
India continues to remain one of the world's largest suppliers of onions, making it an important player in ensuring regional food supply.
Besides foodgrains, India occupies a prominent position in several high-value commercial crops that contribute significantly to agricultural exports and industrial development.
India is the second-largest producer of sugarcane globally.
| Indicator | 2024–25 |
|---|---|
| Production | 454.61 Million Tonnes |
Sugarcane remains the backbone of India's sugar industry as well as the ethanol blending programme.
India ranks as the second-largest producer of cotton.
| Indicator | 2024–25 |
|---|---|
| Production | Approximately 5.05 Million Tonnes |
Despite global tariff-related challenges, India's cotton exports remained relatively stable.
January–October 2025USD 31.31 BillionThe stability in exports demonstrates India's competitiveness in international cotton markets.
India is the second-largest producer of tea in the world.
| Period | Production |
|---|---|
| April–December 2024–25 | 1.203 Million Tonnes |
April–October FY 2025–26
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Export Value | USD 605.90 Million |
| Growth | 15.16% |
The increase reflects sustained global demand for Indian tea.
India continues to remain the largest producer of spices globally.
| Year | Production |
|---|---|
| 2023–24 | 12 Million Metric Tonnes |
FY 2024–25USD 4.52 BillionIndia's spice sector continues to dominate world markets through diversified production and strong export competitiveness.
India ranks first in the world in coconut production.
Approximately21.3 Billion Nuts
2024–25USD 513 MillionThe steady export growth reflects sustained global demand for coconut-based products.
India produces approximately0.36 Million Tonnes of coffee annually.Nearly70% of total coffee production is exported to 128 countries.
April–October FY 2025–26
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Export Value | USD 1,176.31 Million |
| Growth | Approximately 12% |
India's coffee exports continue to expand due to growing international demand for Indian Arabica and Robusta varieties.
The Union Budget 2026–27 announced region-specific support for promoting high-value crops.
Coastal Regions
North-Eastern States
Hilly Regions
The strategy seeks to maximise income by aligning agricultural production with local agro-climatic advantages.
India's agricultural exports have shown consistent growth during the last five years.
| Year | Export Value |
|---|---|
| FY20 | USD 34.5 Billion |
| FY25 | USD 51.1 Billion |
Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR): 8.2%
During FY25,Agri-food exports including processed foodsreachedUSD 49.43 BillionThis accounted for11.2% of India's total exports.
India is gradually shifting from exporting raw agricultural commodities to exporting value-added processed food products.
| Year | Share of Processed Food |
|---|---|
| FY18 | 14.9% |
| FY25 | 20.4% |
The increasing share indicates:
India's expanding leadership in horticulture, plantation crops and value-added agricultural exports demonstrates a structural transformation of the agricultural sector. The increasing share of processed food exports, diversification towards high-value crops and region-specific production strategies strengthen India's competitiveness in global agri-food markets while enhancing farm incomes and promoting sustainable agricultural growth.
Established:1986Act:APEDA Act, 1985Administrative Ministry:Ministry of Commerce & IndustryHeadquarters:New Delhi
India's agricultural transformation has been driven not only by higher production but also through mission-mode interventions, technology adoption, financial support, quality inputs, and resource-efficient farming practices. The Government has progressively shifted its strategy from merely supporting agricultural production towards building resilient, productivity-led and sustainable agricultural systems.
Recognising agriculture as a strategic sector, the Government has substantially increased public investment over the past decade.
| Financial Year | Budget Allocation |
|---|---|
| 2013–14 | ₹21,933.50 Crore |
| 2025–26 | ₹1,27,290.16 Crore |
| 2026–27 | ₹1,30,561.38 Crore |
The nearly six-fold increase in allocation reflects sustained policy emphasis on:
India's agricultural strategy has gradually shifted from input-intensive farming to productivity-driven agriculture by promoting:
This transformation is being implemented through several mission-mode programmes.
The National Food Security and Nutrition Mission (NFSNM) is the revised version of the earlier National Food Security Mission (NFSM).
The mission aims to increase production of:
through productivity enhancement and sustainable farming practices.The mission contributes significantly towards strengthening India's long-term food and nutritional security.
The Government has launched the Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses for the period 2025–2031.
The mission aligns with the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat by reducing India's dependence on imported pulses.
The National Mission on Edible Oils comprises:
To achieve self-reliance in edible oils by 2030–31.
The mission addresses India's long-standing dependence on imported edible oils.
Quality seeds remain one of the most important determinants of agricultural productivity.The Sub-Mission on Seeds and Planting Material (SMSP) focuses on improving seed availability and quality.
| Indicator | Achievement |
|---|---|
| Seed Villages Established | 6.85 Lakh |
| Quality Seed Production | 1,649.26 Lakh Quintals |
Quality seed adoption directly contributes to higher crop productivity and resilience.
Healthy soil forms the foundation of sustainable agriculture.As of mid-November 2025,25.55 crore Soil Health Cardshad been issued.
The Soil Health Card provides field-specific recommendations on:
Each Soil Health Card analyses 12 parameters, including:
The cards are issued every two years to promote balanced nutrient management and maintain long-term soil fertility.
Water-use efficiency remains central to resilient agriculture.Under PMKSY, the share of Gross Irrigated Area increased to:55.8%
The programme aims to ensure "More Crop Per Drop."
Access to affordable institutional credit has expanded significantly.
| Financial Year | Credit Disbursed |
|---|---|
| 2024–25 | ₹28.67 Lakh Crore |
The expansion of agricultural credit has strengthened farmers' ability to invest in:
The Kisan Credit Card Scheme remains India's flagship agricultural credit programme.
As on 31 March 2025,7.72 crore operative KCC accountswere functioning across the country.
The scheme provides timely credit for:
The single-window credit mechanism reduces farmers' dependence on informal sources of finance.
India's agricultural policy framework increasingly focuses on productivity enhancement, resource efficiency, quality inputs, and technology adoption rather than only expanding cultivated area. The integration of mission-mode interventions, improved irrigation, scientific soil management, quality seeds and institutional credit is creating a more resilient, sustainable and globally competitive agricultural sector, capable of addressing challenges related to food security, climate change and farmer incomes.
Administrative Ministry:Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers WelfareHeadquarters:New Delhi
India's resilient agricultural production system is increasingly supported by farm mechanisation, livestock productivity, natural farming, digital advisory services and mission-mode interventions. These initiatives aim to improve productivity, reduce production costs and make agriculture climate-resilient.
Mechanisation is essential for improving labour productivity, reducing cultivation costs and increasing farm efficiency, especially for small and marginal farmers.
Between 2014–15 and 2025–26,27,554 Custom Hiring Centres (CHCs) were established across the country.
A Custom Hiring Centre is a facility where farmers can rent agricultural machinery and equipment instead of purchasing them.
The livestock sector plays an important role in income diversification and rural livelihoods.To improve livestock productivity, the Government has focused on:
Since 2020,approximately125 crore vaccinationshave been administered.
During 2024–25,88.32 million artificial inseminationswere conducted.These interventions improve:
India has significantly expanded Natural Farming as part of sustainable agricultural practices.
| Indicator | Achievement |
|---|---|
| Natural Farming Clusters | 17,632 |
| Area Covered | 6.39 Lakh Hectares |
| Farmers Enrolled | 15.79 Lakh |
Natural farming reduces dependence on chemical inputs while improving long-term soil health and environmental sustainability.
Timely agricultural information improves farm-level decision making.During 2024–25,Kisan Call Centreshandled30.65 lakh farmer queries.The advisory services cover:
Mission-mode interventions have significantly strengthened India's oilseed sector.
| Indicator | Growth |
|---|---|
| Area | 18%+ |
| Production | 55%+ |
| Productivity | 31%+ |
During 2023–24,domestic edible oil availability reached121.75 lakh tonnes.The increase contributes towards reducing dependence on imported edible oils.
India's ethanol blending initiative has emerged as an important component of agricultural diversification and energy security.
As of August 2025,ethanol blending generatedforeign exchange savings exceeding ₹1.44 lakh crore.
The programme:
The Government has adopted a multi-dimensional strategy combining:
These interventions improve farmers' resilience against market and climatic risks.
The Government announced Minimum Support Price (MSP) for22 mandated crops.The MSP has been fixed atat least 1.5 times the cost of production.Revised MSPs have already been announced for:
The policy ensures remunerative prices and income stability for farmers.
PM-KISAN remains India's flagship Direct Income Support Scheme.
As on 17 March 2026,₹4.27 lakh crorehad been transferred through22 instalments.The scheme provides direct income support to eligible farmer families through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
PMKMY provides social security to Small and Marginal Farmers (SMFs).
As on2 February 202624.95 lakh farmershad enrolled under the scheme.
₹3,000 per month.The scheme strengthens old-age income security for farmers.
PMFBY remains India's flagship crop insurance programme.
| Indicator | Achievement |
|---|---|
| Farmers Insured | 4.19 Crore |
| Area Covered | 6.2 Crore Hectares |
The scheme protects farmers against:
The expansion of mechanisation, natural farming, livestock development, institutional credit, MSP, income support and crop insurance reflects India's shift towards a farmer-centric, technology-enabled and climate-resilient agricultural model. Together, these initiatives strengthen productivity, improve income security and reduce risks arising from climate variability and market fluctuations.
ObjectiveProvide remunerative prices to farmers and encourage production of essential crops.
Launched:2019Type: Central Sector SchemeBenefit₹6,000 per year in three equal instalments through DBT.
Launched:2019BeneficiariesSmall and Marginal Farmers.Benefit₹3,000 monthly pension after attaining 60 years.
Launched:2016ObjectiveProvide financial protection against crop loss due to:
ObjectiveProvide expert agricultural advisory services through telephone-based consultation.
ObjectiveImprove access to farm mechanisation by providing agricultural machinery on a rental basis.
The Government has recognised that collective institutions such as Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS), Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and cooperatives are essential for improving farmers' bargaining power, expanding institutional credit, strengthening storage infrastructure and facilitating better market access. Recent reforms focus on digitisation, governance reforms and capacity building to make the cooperative sector more efficient and farmer-centric.
The Government has undertaken large-scale digitisation of PACS to improve transparency, operational efficiency and service delivery.
| Indicator | Achievement |
|---|---|
| Total PACS under Computerisation | 67,930 |
| PACS Onboarded on ERP Platform | 54,150 |
| Fully Operational PACS | 43,658 |
The implementation of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems has enabled digital record management, faster transactions and better financial governance.
The Government has encouraged the establishment of new cooperative institutions to strengthen rural economic activities.
By March 2025,18,183 new multipurpose cooperative societieshad been registered.These societies support:
Strengthening storage infrastructure is a key component of India's agricultural reforms.
The initiative seeks to:
The Government has initiated structural reforms to modernise cooperative institutions.Major initiatives include:
These reforms aim to:
India's agricultural reforms increasingly focus on strengthening the entire farm-to-market value chain by investing in storage, marketing infrastructure, digital platforms and post-harvest management.These reforms seek to:
The Government has significantly expanded investment in post-harvest infrastructure.
| Infrastructure | Achievement |
|---|---|
| Storage Projects | 49,796 |
| Financial Assistance | ₹4,832.70 Crore |
The expansion of storage capacity strengthens food security while reducing wastage.
| Indicator | Achievement |
|---|---|
| Marketing Infrastructure Projects | 25,009 |
| Subsidy Released | ₹2,193.17 Crore |
Improved marketing infrastructure facilitates efficient movement of agricultural produce from farms to markets.
India's digital agricultural marketing ecosystem has expanded significantly.
| Indicator | Achievement |
|---|---|
| Farmers Registered | 1.8 Crore |
| Traders Registered | 2.72 Lakh |
| FPOs Registered | 4,724 |
| Mandis Integrated | 1,656 |
| States Covered | 23 States |
| Union Territories Covered | 4 UTs |
The platform enables:
The initiative promotes the vision of "One Nation, One Market."
Collectivisation of farmers has been identified as an important strategy for improving market access and bargaining power.
As on 28 February 2026,10,000 Farmer Producer Organisationshad been registered under the scheme launched in 2020.
The fisheries sector has also witnessed institutional strengthening.
The initiative improves access to institutional finance and strengthens fisheries-based livelihoods.
The digitisation of cooperatives, expansion of PACS, development of storage infrastructure, strengthening of e-NAM and promotion of FPOs represent a major shift towards institution-based agricultural development. These reforms improve market efficiency, enhance farmers' bargaining power, reduce post-harvest losses and create a more integrated and transparent agricultural marketing ecosystem.
ERP is a digital management system that integrates financial, administrative and operational functions into a unified platform, improving transparency and efficiency.
Launched:2016Administrative Ministry:Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
Launched:2020
India's agricultural strategy is increasingly focused on value addition, food processing, modern supply chains, and export-oriented production. The Government has strengthened processing infrastructure, promoted micro food enterprises and incentivised private investment to minimise post-harvest losses while enhancing farmers' income and export competitiveness.
The food processing sector has emerged as one of the fastest-growing segments of India's economy.
The sector accounts for approximately12.91% of organised manufacturing employmenthighlighting its growing importance in employment generation and rural industrialisation.Food processing also bridges the gap between agriculture and industry by increasing shelf life, reducing wastage and improving value addition.
The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana continues to strengthen India's modern food processing ecosystem.
As on 30 November 2025
| Indicator | Achievement |
|---|---|
| Projects Completed | 1,185 |
These projects have expanded:
The scheme strengthens the entire value chain from farm gate to retail market.
To enhance global competitiveness, the Government introduced the Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Food Processing Industry (PLISFI).
As on 31 December 2025
| Indicator | Achievement |
|---|---|
| Applications Approved | 169 |
| Investment Mobilised | ₹9,207 Crore |
| Incentives Disbursed | ₹2,162.55 Crore |
The scheme encourages:
Micro food processing units play an important role in decentralised rural industrialisation.The PMFME Scheme supports:
As on 31 December 2025
| Indicator | Achievement |
|---|---|
| Applications Supported | 4,04,062 |
| Loans Facilitated | 1,72,707 |
| Term Lending | ₹14.19 Thousand Crore |
| Seed Capital to Women SHGs | ₹1,277.45 Crore |
The scheme promotes:
The Central Government continues procurement operations to:
| Indicator | Achievement |
|---|---|
| Wheat Procured | 300.35 Lakh Metric Tonnes (LMT) |
| Farmers Benefited | 25.13 Lakh |
| Indicator | Achievement |
|---|---|
| Paddy Procured | 832.17 LMT |
| Farmers Benefited | 118.59 Lakh |
| Indicator | Achievement |
|---|---|
| Paddy Procured | 243.48 LMT |
| Farmers Benefited | 21.22 Lakh |
11.72 LMT procured
64,365 Metric TonnesThe procurement system plays an important role in supporting food security while ensuring remunerative prices for farmers.
The National Food Security Act continues to be the world's largest food security programme.
Subsidised foodgrains are provided to81.35 crore beneficiaries.
The Act strengthens food security while supporting vulnerable households.
The ONORC initiative has transformed India's Public Distribution System by enabling nationwide portability of ration benefits.
| Indicator | Achievement |
|---|---|
| Aadhaar Seeding | 99.8% |
| States & UTs Covered | 36 |
| Fair Price Shops with ePoS | 99%+ |
| Digital Transactions | 98%+ |
During FY24
| Indicator | Achievement |
|---|---|
| DBT Transfer | ₹267.6 Crore |
| Beneficiaries | 10 Lakh+ |
Digital reforms have improved:
The expansion of food processing infrastructure, procurement systems, digital food distribution and modern agricultural supply chains demonstrates India's transition from a production-centric agricultural model to a value chain-driven agricultural economy. These reforms improve food security, strengthen exports, reduce post-harvest losses and increase farmer incomes through greater value addition.
Administrative Ministry:Ministry of Food Processing Industries
Administrative Ministry:Ministry of Food Processing Industries
Launched:2020Administrative Ministry:Ministry of Food Processing Industries
India's agricultural transformation is closely aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Government's interventions integrate food security, climate resilience, sustainable resource management, digital agriculture and value addition, ensuring that agricultural development contributes to both national priorities and global sustainability commitments.
| Sustainable Development Goal | Agricultural Contribution |
|---|---|
| SDG 2 – Zero Hunger | Record foodgrain production, MSP, Public Procurement, NFSA, PM-KISAN |
| SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure | Food Processing Infrastructure, e-NAM, Cold Chain, Storage Projects, Digital Agriculture |
| SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption & Production | Soil Health Cards, Natural Farming, Sustainable Input Management, Value Addition |
| SDG 13 – Climate Action | Natural Farming, Micro Irrigation, Millets Promotion, Resource-Efficient Agriculture |
These initiatives demonstrate India's commitment to achieving agricultural growth while ensuring environmental sustainability.
India's agricultural transformation is no longer limited to increasing production. The sector is witnessing structural reforms across the entire agricultural value chain, beginning from quality seed production and irrigation to digital marketing, food processing and exports.The transformation is supported by five major pillars:
The integrated policy approach has resulted in multiple structural achievements.
India's agricultural sector has undergone a significant transformation through a balanced strategy that combines record production, technology adoption, value addition, market reforms, digital agriculture, and farmer-centric welfare programmes. The transition from a production-oriented approach to a resilient farm-to-market ecosystem has strengthened food security, increased export competitiveness, improved farmer incomes and enhanced climate resilience.The growing integration of agriculture with food processing, digital marketing, cooperative reforms and sustainable production systems provides a strong foundation for achieving long-term agricultural growth while supporting rural livelihoods and ensuring India's continued leadership in global agriculture.
Established:1919Administrative Ministry:Ministry of Information & BroadcastingHeadquarters:New Delhi
Established:1947 (as Ministry of Agriculture)Present Name Adopted:2015Headquarters:New DelhiPresent Union Minister:Shivraj Singh Chouhan
India's Resilient Production Systems in Agriculture
Press Information Bureau (PIB)
Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
Updated – 04 April 2026 | 06:09 PM | News Source – PIB