Behind every grain of rice, every ripe mango, and every glass of milk lies the story of millions of Indian farmers, the heart and soul of our nation’s agri-economy. Over the past decade, their resilience, hard work, and innovation have transformed India’s agricultural landscape, overcoming challenges from changing weather patterns to evolving markets. The newly released National Statistics Office (NSO) report shines a light on this incredible journey, revealing how agriculture and allied sectors have grown not just in numbers but in promise and hope, securing livelihoods and feeding millions.
This detailed report tells a story of progress rooted in the sweat of farmers’ brows and the courage of rural communities adapting to a rapidly changing world. It captures the pulse of India’s fields, farms, and fisheries, showing how agriculture remains a cornerstone of the nation’s economy, culture, and sustenance.
The detailed report titled “Statistical Report on Value of Output from Agriculture and Allied Sectors (2011-12 to 2023-24)” was published on June 30, presents a penetrating analysis of sectoral trends, regional tendencies, and economic growth patterns that define India’s evolving agri-economy.
According to the NSO, the current price Gross Value Added (GVA) from agricultural and allied activities rose phenomenally by 225 per cent between 2011-12 and 2023-24 to Rs 4,878 thousand crore from Rs 1,502 thousand crore. This exceptional growth indicates the increasing contribution of agriculture to India’s economy and speaks of the strength of the sector against changing climate, policy changes, and market pressure.
Real growth expressed in GVO at constant prices
When we look at the growth of India’s agricultural output after adjusting for inflation, we get a more accurate measure of real progress. The Gross Value of Output (GVO) at constant prices from 2011-12 to 2023-24 increased by a significant 54.6 per cent over these 12 years. Specifically, the GVO rose from Rs. 1,908 thousand crore in 2011-12 to Rs. 2,949 thousand crore in 2023-24.
This steady increase in output, measured at fixed prices, shows that the growth is not just because of rising prices or inflation. Instead, it reflects real improvements in farming productivity, better use of resources, and greater diversification in agricultural activities. Farmers are producing more, using land and resources more efficiently, and growing a wider range of crops and products.
Crop sector continues to dominate agriculture
The crop sector remains the largest and most important contributor to India’s agricultural economy. In 2023-24, the crop sector’s share of the total Gross Value of Output at constant prices was Rs. 1,595 thousand crore, which accounts for 54.1 per cent of the entire agricultural production. This means that more than half of the agricultural output in India comes from crops.
Within the crop sector, cereals (such as rice and wheat), along with fruits and vegetables, make up a combined 52.5 per cent of the sector’s total output. This highlights how central these food groups are to the Indian diet and the agricultural market.
Among cereals, paddy (rice) and wheat have remained the dominant staples, contributing about 85 per cent of the total cereal output in terms of GVO. This traditional dominance of rice and wheat shows their continued importance for food security and consumption patterns in India.
Leading states in cereal production
The report highlights the consistent leadership of several key states in cereal production. Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Telangana, and Haryana together contributed nearly 53 per cent of India’s total cereal production in 2023-24.
Uttar Pradesh, in particular, remains the largest producer of cereals in the country. Even though its share of cereal production slightly declined from 18.6 per cent in 2011-12 to 17.2 per cent in 2023-24, it has maintained its top position. This consistent performance year after year underlines the vital role that Uttar Pradesh plays in ensuring food security for India’s large population.
Changing trends in fruits and vegetables
There has been an interesting change in the fruit market recently. For the first time in over ten years, bananas have become the top fruit in terms of value. In 2023-24, bananas contributed Rs. 47.0 thousand crore to the total value of fruit production, slightly beating mangoes, which contributed Rs. 46.1 thousand crore. Mangoes were the leading fruit from 2011-12 up to 2021-22.
In the vegetable category, potatoes remain the most important crop. The value of potato production grew from Rs. 21.3 thousand crore in 2011-12 to Rs. 37.2 thousand crore in 2023-24. This shows that more people are eating potatoes, and the supply chains to get them to the market have improved.
Floriculture (growing flowers) has also grown quickly. Its value almost doubled, from Rs. 17.4 thousand crore to Rs. 28.1 thousand crore. This growth is driven by higher demand for flowers in cities, exports, and a move toward growing non-food plants for commercial use.
Changes in where crops are grown
The report also highlights big shifts in which states are growing fruits, vegetables, and flowers. These changes show how farmers are adapting to different climates, markets, and state policies.
For example, Madhya Pradesh has become a major player in growing spices and condiments, making up 19.2 per cent of India’s value in this category in 2023-24. Karnataka and Gujarat follow with 16.6 per cent and 15.5 per cent respectively. This means new farming clusters are developing, and traditional leading states are sharing the spotlight.
Rapid growth in livestock
One of the biggest changes is the fast growth of the livestock sector. The value of output from livestock nearly doubled, increasing from Rs. 488 thousand crore in 2011-12 to Rs. 919 thousand crore in 2023-24. Milk production remains the largest part of this sector, making up 65.9 per cent of its value, although this is slightly lower than 67.2 per cent in 2011-12.
On the other hand, the share of meat production increased from 19.7 per cent to 24.1 per cent. This rise is because more people want to eat meat and more commercial meat processing plants are being built. Other products like eggs and various livestock goods have also grown a bit, showing the sector is becoming more varied.
Steady growth in forestry
The forestry sector, which includes logging and timber production, also grew steadily. Its value went up from Rs. 149 thousand crore to Rs. 227 thousand crore. A key point is that industrial wood (used for construction, furniture, and paper) now makes up a much bigger part of forestry, growing from 49.9 per cent to 70.2 per cent of its total value. This shift shows changing demand in industry.
Fisheries Sector: A new growth area
The fisheries sector is becoming a strong growth area, with its share of total agricultural output increasing from 4.2 per cent in 2011-12 to 7.0 per cent in 2023-24. Within fisheries, marine fish (caught from the sea) rose from 42.3 per cent to 49.8 per cent, while inland fish (from rivers and lakes) dropped from 57.7 per cent to 50.2 per cent.
This change happened due to better fishing technology, more investment in coastal areas, and policies that encourage fish exports. West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh remain the leading fish-producing states, although their shares have shifted over time.
What this means for policy and farmers
The NSO report shows that investments in allied sectors like livestock, fisheries, and floriculture are growing faster than traditional crop farming. This means policymakers and farmers should pay close attention to these sectors as future growth areas.
The report also highlights the need for tailored regional policies because different states are becoming strong in different crops and products. To support this, flexible policies that encourage innovation, help farmers adapt to climate change, and promote sustainable farming practices are essential.
The detailed data collected by the NSO is very useful for making smart agricultural policies. It can help improve crop insurance, irrigation, processing, and export promotion. Overall, this information can guide India’s agricultural growth toward a more modern, diverse, and sustainable future.
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