India Emerges Top World Producer in Cereals
1.
Strong Economic Backbone
o
Agriculture contributes ~20% to Gross Value Added
and employs ~46% of the workforce.
o
Supports nearly 55% of India’s population.
2.
Record Production Levels
o
खाद्यान्न उत्पादन reached 357.73
MMT (2024–25) — a historic high.
o
Horticulture output at 362.08 MT, indicating
a shift toward high-value crops.
3.
Global Agricultural Leadership
o
Among top global producers of:
§ Rice:
150.18 MT
§ Wheat:
117.94 MT
§ Pulses:
25.68 MT
§ Millets:
18.59 MT
4.
Export Growth and Value Addition
o
Agricultural exports increased from USD 34.5 bn
(FY20) to USD 51.1 bn (FY25).
o
Share of processed food exports rose to 20.4%,
showing value-chain advancement.
5.
Diversification into High-Value Crops
o
Growth in fruits, vegetables, spices, tea, coffee,
coconut, and cotton.
o
Policy focus on region-specific high-value crops
(nuts, oilseeds, plantation crops).
6.
Rising Government Investment
o
Budget allocation increased from ₹21,933
crore (2013–14) to ₹1.30 lakh crore (2026–27).
7.
Productivity-Led Strategy
o
Focus on:
§ Quality
seeds & soil health (25.55 crore Soil Health Cards)
§ Irrigation
expansion (55.8% gross irrigated area)
§ Technology
& mechanization (CHCs, AI, improved inputs)
8.
Credit and Financial Inclusion
o
Agricultural credit reached ₹28.67 lakh
crore (FY25).
o
7.72 crore Kisan Credit Cards
operational.
9.
Farmer Welfare & Income Support
o
PM-KISAN disbursed ₹4.27 lakh crore.
o
MSP fixed at ≥1.5× cost of production.
o
Pension coverage via PM-KMY.
10.
Risk Mitigation through Insurance
·
PMFBY covered 4.19 crore farmers (2024–25).
·
Claims worth ₹1.90 lakh crore+
disbursed since inception.
11.
Shift to Sustainable Agriculture
·
Natural farming expanded to 6.39 lakh hectares.
·
Emphasis on resource efficiency and climate
resilience.
12.
Market Reforms & Digital Integration
·
e-NAM connects 1.8 crore farmers and 1,656
mandis.
·
Improved price discovery and national market
access.
13.
Food Processing & Value Chains
·
1,185 projects under PM Kisan Sampada Yojana.
·
Strong push for food processing and
micro-enterprises (PMFME).
14.
Strengthening Cooperatives & FPOs
·
10,000 FPOs formed.
·
PACS digitization and expansion of cooperative
institutions.
15.
Food Security & Public Distribution
·
NFSA covers 81.35 crore beneficiaries.
·
One Nation One Ration Card ensures portability and
transparency.
16.
Improved Storage & Infrastructure
·
Significant investments in warehousing, cold
chains, and logistics.
17.
Alignment with Global Goals
·
Supports SDGs:
o
Zero Hunger (SDG 2)
o
Climate Action (SDG 13)
o
Responsible Consumption (SDG 12)
18.
Overall Transformation
·
Shift from subsistence farming → market-linked,
tech-driven, resilient agriculture system.