New Delhi, June 5 (IANS) The agriculture and allied sector’s gross value added rose from Rs 20.9 lakh crore in 2014‑15 to Rs 48.7 lakh crore in 2023‑2024, accounting for about 18 per cent of total GVA, supported by sustained policy focus and increased public investment, an official statement said on Friday.

The agricultural sector registered a compound annual growth rate of 8.83 per cent at current prices over the period and that crop GVA alone climbed from Rs 12,92,874 crore in 2014‑15 to Rs 26,52,891 crore in 2023‑24.

Over the past 12 years, India’s agricultural sector has witnessed a comprehensive expansion in farmers’ empowerment, the statement said.

The focus has widened beyond welfare support towards strengthening productivity, income security, market access, infrastructure, and institutional resilience.

Higher agricultural output, expanded irrigation, greater access to credit, stronger insurance coverage, and growth in allied sectors have contributed to this transition.

Simultaneously, expanded MSP operations and procurement systems have strengthened market assurance, ensured remunerative pricing, and supported national food security objectives.

Further, digital platforms, cooperatives, food processing, and climate-resilient initiatives have created new opportunities across the agricultural value chain. These developments reflect a gradual shift towards a more diversified, technology-driven, and farmer-centric agricultural system, the statement added.

Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) expanded irrigation coverage and promoted water-use efficiency. The Soil Health Card Scheme enabled scientific nutrient management, while the Rashtriya Gokul Mission supported indigenous breeds and dairy productivity.

Total food grain production rose from 265.05 million tonnes in 2013‑14 to 357.73 million tonnes in 2024‑25, with record rice output of 150.18 million tonnes and wheat at 117.94 million tonnes in 2024‑25, growing 42 per cent and 36 per cent, respectively.

Edible oil import dependence declined from 63.2 per cent in 2015-16 to 56.25 per cent in 2023-24, indicating gradual progress. During this period, the area under oilseeds increased by over 18 per cent. Production rose nearly 55 per cent, while productivity increased about 31 per cent.

Horticulture production has increased from 280.70 million tonnes in 2013-14 to 369.05 million tonnes in 2024-25. This expansion indicates diversification towards high-value crops, supported by improved practices and market demand.

—IANS

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