{"id":62731,"date":"2025-12-27T18:23:09","date_gmt":"2025-12-27T12:53:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/?p=62731"},"modified":"2025-12-27T23:58:49","modified_gmt":"2025-12-27T18:28:49","slug":"indias-agricultural-sector","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/27-12-2025\/indias-agricultural-sector","title":{"rendered":"India\u2019s Agricultural Sector in 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/Agriculture<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The year <strong>2025<\/strong> marked a transformative milestone for <strong>India\u2019s agricultural sector,<\/strong> showcasing the cumulative impact of <strong>policy continuity, institutional reforms, and strategic investments<\/strong> made over the past decade.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Key Highlights For India\u2019s Agricultural Sector (2025)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Agriculture and allied activities remained the <strong>backbone of the rural economy<\/strong>, contributing nearly <strong>16% to India\u2019s GDP<\/strong> and supporting livelihoods for <strong>over 46% of the population<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Union Budget 2025\u201326<\/strong> allocated \u20b91.52 lakh crore to agriculture and allied sectors, with a focus on research, infrastructure, and farmer welfare.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Record Production and Food Security<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>India achieved its <strong>highest-ever foodgrain production<\/strong> of <strong>357.73 million tonnes in 2024\u201325<\/strong>, an <strong>8% rise<\/strong> over the previous year and <strong>106 million tonnes higher<\/strong> than in 2015\u201316.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Rice:<\/strong> 150.184 million tonnes;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Wheat:<\/strong> 117.945 million tonnes;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Pulses and Oilseeds:<\/strong> Significant gains supported by targeted missions and procurement assurances;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Millets (Shree Anna):<\/strong> Steady rise reaffirming India\u2019s leadership in climate-resilient cereals;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Strengthening Farmer Incomes<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>MSP Policy:<\/strong> It continued as a pillar of income assurance, guaranteeing at least <strong>50% return over cost of production<\/strong>.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Since 2014, procurement operations have transferred over <strong>\u20b920 lakh crore<\/strong> in MSP payments, <strong>\u20b914.16 lakh crore for paddy<\/strong> and <strong>\u20b96.04 lakh crore for wheat<\/strong>, directly benefiting millions of farmers.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Direct Income Transfers and Credit Expansion: <\/strong>Under <strong>PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi<\/strong>, over <strong>\u20b93.90 lakh crore<\/strong> was directly credited to <strong>11 crore farmers<\/strong> through 20 installments by August 2025.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The <strong>Kisan Credit Card<\/strong> scheme further expanded access to institutional finance, with <strong>\u20b910 lakh crore<\/strong> disbursed to <strong>7.71 crore farmers<\/strong>, including those in livestock and fisheries.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Risk Management and Irrigation Expansion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Crop Insurance and Risk Coverage: <\/strong>The <strong>Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)<\/strong> continued to mitigate risks, disbursing claims worth <strong>\u20b91.83 lakh crore<\/strong> since 2016.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Increasing participation from <strong>non-loanee farmers<\/strong> reflected greater trust and transparency.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Water Efficiency and Irrigation: <\/strong>The <strong>Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY)<\/strong> accelerated completion of irrigation projects and promoted <strong>micro-irrigation<\/strong>, enabling shifts to <strong>high-value crops<\/strong> and improved <strong>water-use efficiency<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Infrastructure and Market Ecosystem<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Investment in Agricultural Infrastructure: <\/strong>More than <strong>1 lakh projects<\/strong> were sanctioned through the <strong>Agriculture Infrastructure Fund<\/strong>, including <strong>Custom Hiring Centres, warehouses, and cold storage units<\/strong>, reducing post-harvest losses and creating rural jobs.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The <strong>PM Kisan Samriddhi Kendras<\/strong> strengthened village-level access to <strong>quality inputs and advisory services<\/strong>, bridging last-mile delivery gaps.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Market Reforms and Farmer Institutions: <\/strong>The <strong>e-NAM platform<\/strong> expanded nationwide, promoting <strong>price discovery and transparency<\/strong>.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The establishment of <strong>10,000 FPOs<\/strong> enabled collective marketing, input procurement, and value addition, empowering <strong>women farmers and smallholders<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Growth in Allied Sectors<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Dairy:<\/strong> 239.30 million tonnes in 2023\u201324, aided by the <strong>Rashtriya Gokul Mission<\/strong> and dairy development programmes;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Fisheries:<\/strong> 195 lakh tonnes in 2024\u201325, led by rapid inland fisheries growth;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Horticulture:<\/strong> Record expansion in fruits and vegetables;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Food Processing:<\/strong> Exports crossed <strong>USD 49.4 billion<\/strong> by July 2025, reflecting rising value addition.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Sustainability and Climate Resilience<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Natural and <strong>organic farming<\/strong> gained momentum under national missions.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The <strong>Soil Health Card (SHC) Scheme <\/strong>advanced balanced nutrient use through extensive testing and farmer training.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The <strong>Ethanol Blending Programme<\/strong> reached <strong>19.05%<\/strong> by July 2025, reducing crude oil imports and providing additional income for sugarcane farmers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Under <strong>PM-KUSUM<\/strong>, solar pump installations expanded, fostering <strong>renewable energy adoption<\/strong> and <strong>decentralized solar power generation<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Human Capital and Skill Development<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs)<\/strong> trained millions through hands-on demonstrations and vocational programs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Schemes like <strong>ATMA, STRY, and PMKVY<\/strong> built a robust <strong>rural skilling ecosystem<\/strong>, empowering farmers, women, and youth to embrace <strong>modern farming and agri-entrepreneurship<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Skill integration across horticulture, livestock, mechanization, and processing enhanced employability and innovation across the agri-value chain.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Inclusive Growth and Local Impact<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Convergence of income support, irrigation, infrastructure, and training translated into <strong>higher rural incomes, reduced migration, and improved living standards<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Women farmers, FPOs, and rural entrepreneurs<\/strong> became pivotal agents of change in local agri-economies.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img data-dominant-color=\"cec2ad\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"559\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-144-1024x559.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-62732\" style=\"--dominant-color: #cec2ad; aspect-ratio:1.8319362093641383;width:471px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-144-1024x559.png 1024w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-144-300x164.png 300w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-144-768x419.png 768w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-144-1536x838.png 1536w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-144.png 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Related Efforts &amp; Initiatives<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Modified Interest Subvention Scheme (MISS): <\/strong>Available to farmers availing short term crop loans up to Rs.3.00 lakh at an interest rate of 7% per annum for one year.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF):<\/strong> To mobilize a <strong>medium &#8211; long term debt financing facility<\/strong> for investment in viable projects for post-harvest management.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>All loans under this financing facility have interest subvention of 3% per annum up to a limit of \u20b9 2 crore.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>National Bee Keeping and Honey Mission (NBHM): <\/strong>Launched as a part of the <strong>Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan<\/strong>; Goal of \u2018<strong>Sweet Revolution\u2019<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Namo Drone Didi:<\/strong> To provide drones to 15000 selected <strong>Women SHGs<\/strong>; application of fertilizers and pesticides.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF):<\/strong> To develop 15,000 clusters covering 7.5 lakh Ha area and establish 10,000 need based <strong>Bio-Input Resource Centres (BRCs).<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA)<\/strong>: To provide price support for <strong>pulses, oilseeds, and copra;<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Agri Fund for Start-ups &amp; Rural Enterprises (AgriSURE):<\/strong> To boost innovation and entrepreneurship in the agricultural and rural ecosystem.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Per Drop More Crop (PDMC):<\/strong> To increase water use efficiency at the farm level through Micro Irrigation technologies namely Drip and Sprinkler Irrigation systems.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY): <\/strong>For promotion of organic farming in the country.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Soil Health &amp; Fertility (SH&amp;F):<\/strong> To promote balanced and integrated nutrient management through the <strong>Soil Health Card (SHC) initiative.<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Special initiatives include establishment of <strong>school mini soil labs<\/strong> (1,020 functional, expanding to 5,000 PM SHRI schools) and <strong>capacity building<\/strong> through demonstrations, campaigns, and farmer training.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Rainfed Area Development (RAD):<\/strong> A component under <strong>National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA)<\/strong>, focuses on I<strong>ntegrated Farming System (IFS)<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Sub-Mission on Agroforestry: <\/strong>Under <strong>National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA)<\/strong> with the motto of \u2018<strong>Har Medh Par Ped\u2019<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Crop Diversification Programme (CDP)<\/strong>: To shift farmers from water-intensive crops like paddy to more sustainable and profitable alternatives such as pulses, oilseeds, and coarse cereals.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Sub-Mission on Agriculture Extension (SMAE):<\/strong> Making the extension system farmer driven and farmer accountable by disseminating technology to farmers through new institutional arrangements viz. <strong>Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA)<\/strong> <strong>at district level<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>National Mission on Edible Oils (NMEO)-Oil Palm: <\/strong>To promote oil palm cultivation with <strong>special focus<\/strong> on North-Eastern States and A&amp;N Islands.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Digital Agriculture Mission: <\/strong>To improve the existing <strong>National e-Governance Plan in Agriculture (NeGPA)<\/strong> by developing a digital public infrastructure for agriculture.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>National Bamboo Mission:<\/strong> Implemented through the State Bamboo Missions (SBM)\/ State Bamboo Development Agency (SBDA).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/ddnews.gov.in\/en\/year-ender-2025-indias-agricultural-sector-growth-governance-and-ground-level-impact\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source: DD News<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><strong>Context<\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">The year 2025 marked a transformative milestone for India\u2019s agricultural sector, showcasing the cumulative impact of policy continuity, institutional reforms, and strategic investments made over the past decade.<\/li>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><strong>Key Highlights For India\u2019s Agricultural Sector (2025)<\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">Agriculture and allied activities remained the backbone of the rural economy, contributing nearly 16% to India\u2019s GDP and supporting livelihoods for over 46% of the population.<\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">Union Budget 2025\u201326 allocated \u20b91.52 lakh crore to agriculture and allied sectors, with a focus on research, infrastructure, and farmer welfare.<\/li>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/27-12-2025\/indias-agricultural-sector\" class=\"btn btn-primary btn-sm float-end\">Read\u00a0More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-62731","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-current-affairs"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/62731","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=62731"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/62731\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":62749,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/62731\/revisions\/62749"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=62731"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=62731"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=62731"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}