Agriculture GVA Grows by 10.4% in 2024–25: Provisional Estimates

1. At a Glance

• Agriculture & Allied sector GVA grew 10.4% at current prices in 2024-25 (Provisional Estimates), the highest in the last five-year series, per the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare. [S1]
• Sector covers crops, livestock, fisheries and horticulture; remains pivotal as it contributes ~16% of GDP and supports ~46% of population for livelihood. [S3]
• Aspirants should note both the GVA series (current prices) and the record output figures, frequently asked in Prelims and used as data points in GS-III essays.

2. Why in the News

• PIB press release (3 Feb 2026) by Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare released Provisional Estimates showing 10.4% nominal GVA growth in agriculture for 2024-25. [S1]
• Record foodgrain output of 3577.32 LMT in 2024-25 — up 7.65% (254.34 LMT) over 3322.98 LMT in 2023-24. [S1]

3. Background & Evolution

• GVA data sourced from National Accounts Statistics 2025, released by MoSPI (years 2020-21 to 2023-24); 2024-25 figure is Provisional. [S1]
• Five-year nominal GVA growth series (at current prices): 2020-21: 10.0% | 2021-22: 10.6% | 2022-23: 8.5% | 2023-24: 9.6% | 2024-25(PE): 10.4%. [S1]
• Economic Survey 2024-25 noted average agriculture growth of ~5% during FY17–FY23; sector expected to rebound to 3.8% real growth in FY25. [S2][S3]
• Foodgrain CAGR ~3.6% from 2515.42 LMT (2015-16) to 3577.32 LMT (2024-25). [S1]

4. Core Static Facts

• Indicator: Gross Value Added (GVA) of Agriculture & Allied sector — at current prices (nominal).
• Source agency for NAS: Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation (MoSPI) — National Accounts Statistics 2025. [S1]
• Releasing ministry of PR: Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare. [S1]
• 2024-25 PE growth: 10.4% (current prices). [S1]
• Foodgrain 2024-25: 3577.32 LMT (≈357.73 MT) — record high. [S1][S3]
• Horticulture 2024-25: 369.06 MT vs 280.70 MT in 2013-14. [S3]
• Share in GDP: ~16%; employment share: ~46%. [S3]
• Components of sector GVA: crops, livestock, fisheries, horticulture. [S1]

5. Multi-Dimensional Analysis

Economic - Nominal GVA growth of 10.4% combines volume growth + price effect; real growth (~3.8%) is lower — important distinction. [S1][S2] - Record foodgrain (+7.65% YoY) signals supply-side cushion against food inflation. [S1]

Social - ~46% livelihood dependence implies sector growth has disproportionate poverty-reduction impact. [S3]

Environmental - Output gains attributed to above-normal monsoon, adequate reservoir levels, healthy Kharif — underscores climate dependence. [S2]

Administrative - Data architecture: MoSPI (NAS) + DA&FW (production estimates); aspirants confuse the two. [S1]

6. Recent Developments (last 12-18 months)

• 3 Feb 2026 — PIB release confirming 10.4% GVA growth & record foodgrain. [S1]
• 2024-25 — Highest-ever foodgrain (3577.32 LMT) and horticulture (369.06 MT). [S1][S3]
• Economic Survey 2024-25 — flagged agriculture as "central to Viksit Bharat", noted Q2 FY25 growth of 3.5%. [S2]

7. Prelims Hooks

• Agriculture GVA grew 10.4% in 2024-25 (PE) at current prices. [S1]
• Source: National Accounts Statistics 2025 by MoSPI. [S1]
• Foodgrain output 2024-25: 3577.32 LMT, up 7.65% YoY. [S1]
• Foodgrain output 2023-24: 3322.98 LMT. [S1]
• Foodgrain in 2015-16: 2515.42 LMT; CAGR ~3.6%. [S1]
• Five-year nominal GVA growth peak in this series: 10.6% in 2021-22; lowest: 8.5% in 2022-23. [S1]
• Components of Agri GVA: crops, livestock, fisheries, horticulture. [S1]
• Horticulture production 2024-25: 369.06 MT (vs 280.70 MT in 2013-14). [S3]
• Agriculture & allied contribute ~16% of GDP and ~46% employment. [S3]
• Economic Survey 2024-25 pegged FY25 real agri growth at ~3.8%. [S2]
• Average real agri growth FY17–FY23 ≈ 5%. [S2]

8. Mains Relevance

• GS-III: Indian Economy — issues relating to growth & development; Agriculture — major crops, cropping patterns, irrigation; Food security.
• Possible stems: 1. "Nominal GVA growth in agriculture conceals structural fragilities of Indian farming." Discuss with reference to 2024-25 estimates. 2. "Record foodgrain production has not translated into commensurate farmer incomes." Examine. 3. Evaluate the role of monsoon and reservoir dependence in shaping India's agricultural growth trajectory.

9. Related Topics to Study Next

• MSP & Procurement regime — price-side counterpart to output growth.
• PM-KISAN, PM-FBY, PMKSY — flagship schemes driving sector.
• Economic Survey 2024-25 Agriculture chapter — provides analytical backdrop.
• National Accounts Statistics methodology (Base year 2011-12) — explains GVA vs GDP.
• Horticulture mission (MIDH) — given record 369.06 MT.
• Allied sectors: Animal Husbandry, Fisheries (PMMSY) — share GVA basket.
• Agri-export policy — links output to trade.
• Climate-resilient agriculture / NICRA — environmental dimension.

10. Common Errors / Trap Areas

• Confusing nominal (current prices) 10.4% with real GVA growth (~3.8%) — they measure different things. [S1][S2]
• Attributing the press release to MoSPI — issuing ministry is Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, though data is from MoSPI's NAS 2025. [S1]
• Mixing LMT vs Million Tonnes: 3577.32 LMT = 357.73 MT.
• Treating agriculture share of GDP (~16%) as static — it has been declining structurally.
• Conflating foodgrain (cereals+pulses) with total agricultural output (excludes horticulture, livestock, fisheries).

11. Sources

• [S1] Agriculture GVA Grows by 10.4% in 2024–25: Provisional Estimates — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2222808 — (tier 1)
• [S2] Highlights / Summary of Economic Survey 2024-25 — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2097886 — (tier 1)
• [S3] Agriculture & Allied Sector GVA / Foodgrain Production rise — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2237739 — (tier 1)