Agriculture & Allied Sector GVA More Than Doubles to ₹48.77 Lakh Crore in 2023-24; Foodgrain Production Continues to Rise
1. At a Glance
- GVA of Agriculture & Allied Sector rose from ₹20.93 lakh crore (2014-15) to ₹48.77 lakh crore (2023-24) at current prices — a CAGR of 8.83% [S1].
- Sector contributes ~18% of India's total GVA but supports nearly half the workforce — makes it a perennial GS-III "Indian Economy / Agriculture" theme [S1].
- Foodgrain output crossed 3322.98 LMT in 2023-24 and 3577.32 LMT in 2024-25, confirming a structural upward trajectory [S2].
2. Why in the News
- PIB release dated 10 March 2026 by Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare publicised the doubling of Agri & Allied GVA over a decade and continuous rise in foodgrain production [S1].
- Coincides with MoSPI National Accounts Statistics estimates and Provisional Estimates 2024-25 showing Agri GVA growth of 10.4% [S3].
3. Background & Evolution
- GVA methodology: India shifted to GVA-at-basic-prices as the headline production-side measure from 2015 (base year 2011-12), per MoSPI National Accounts framework.
- Green Revolution (late 1960s) → foodgrain self-sufficiency.
- 2014-15 onwards: policy push via PM-KISAN (2019), PMFBY (Kharif 2016), Soil Health Card, eNAM (2016), PM-AASHA, FPO scheme (2020) [S4][S5].
- Allied sector emphasis: Economic Survey flagged livestock & fisheries as fastest-growing sub-segments [S6].
4. Core Static Facts
- Source agency for GVA: Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation (MoSPI) – National Accounts Statistics [S1].
- Nodal ministry for schemes: Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare [S1].
- GVA Agri & Allied — 2014-15: ₹20,93,612 cr; 2023-24: ₹48,77,867 cr [S1].
- CAGR (2014-15 to 2023-24): 8.83% at current prices [S1].
- Sub-sector shares (within Agri & Allied):
- Crops: 54.39%
- Livestock: 30.87%
- Fishing & Aquaculture: 7.55% [S1].
- Crops GVA: ₹12.93 lakh cr (2014-15) → ₹26.53 lakh cr (2023-24) [S1].
- Foodgrain production: 2515.42 LMT (2015-16) → 3322.98 LMT (2023-24) → 3577.32 LMT (2024-25); CAGR ~3.6% [S2].
- PM-KISAN: ₹6,000/yr in 3 instalments; 19th instalment on 24 Feb 2025 at Bhagalpur, Bihar; 9.8 cr farmers benefitted; cumulative ₹3.68 lakh crore disbursed [S4].
- PMFBY: launched Kharif 2016; continuation approved by Cabinet Jan 2025 till 2025-26 with outlay ₹69,515.71 crore [S5].
5. Multi-Dimensional Analysis
Economic
- Agri & Allied sector remains a 18% GVA contributor, providing a counter-cyclical cushion in years of industrial slowdown [S1].
- 8.83% CAGR at current prices outpaces nominal GDP growth for several sub-years; allied sub-sectors (livestock, fisheries) growing faster than crops [S1][S6].
- Provisional 2024-25 Agri GVA growth 10.4% signals revival post weather-led 2023-24 dip [S3].
Social
- Sector underpins livelihoods of ~46% of workforce; doubling GVA does not automatically translate to doubling of farmer income — productivity gains concentrated in irrigated, large-farm belts.
- PM-KISAN's 2.41 crore female farmer coverage indicates gender mainstreaming in DBT [S4].
Environmental
- Rising foodgrain output (paddy/wheat) intensifies groundwater stress, fertiliser overuse — tension with Net-Zero 2070 & National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture.
- Allied sectors (livestock, aquaculture) carry methane and effluent footprints.
Administrative / Governance
- Concurrent List themes (e.g., price control) and State List (Entry 14 – agriculture) → cooperative federalism critical (e.g., eNAM, mandi reforms).
- Implementation through Centrally Sponsored Schemes (PMFBY, RKVY) with state cost-sharing.
Scientific / Technological
- Push for digital agriculture (AgriStack, Krishi DSS), drone subsidy, precision farming.
- ICAR-led varietal release; biofortified varieties.
6. Recent Developments (last 12-18 months)
- 10 Mar 2026 – PIB release: Agri & Allied GVA at ₹48.77 lakh cr for 2023-24 [S1].
- 2024-25 Provisional Estimates: Agri GVA growth 10.4% [S3].
- 24 Feb 2025 – 19th PM-KISAN instalment released at Bhagalpur [S4].
- Jan 2025 – Cabinet extended PMFBY & RWBCIS till 2025-26; outlay ₹69,515.71 cr [S5].
- 2024-25 foodgrain record: 3577.32 LMT [S2].
7. Prelims Hooks
- Agriculture & Allied GVA share in total GVA ≈ 18% [S1].
- Agri & Allied GVA 2023-24 = ₹48,77,867 crore [S1].
- CAGR of Agri & Allied GVA 2014-15 to 2023-24 = 8.83% at current prices [S1].
- Crops contribute 54.39% within Agri & Allied GVA; Livestock 30.87%; Fishing & Aquaculture 7.55% [S1].
- GVA estimates released by MoSPI, not Ministry of Agriculture [S1].
- Foodgrain production 2023-24 = 3322.98 LMT; 2024-25 = 3577.32 LMT [S2].
- Foodgrain CAGR (2015-16 to 2024-25) ≈ 3.6% [S2].
- PM-KISAN launched 24 February 2019; ₹6,000/year in 3 instalments [S4].
- 19th PM-KISAN instalment released on 24 Feb 2025 at Bhagalpur, Bihar [S4].
- PMFBY launched in Kharif 2016 season; area-approach based [S5].
- Cabinet approved PMFBY continuation till 2025-26 with ₹69,515.71 crore outlay (Jan 2025) [S5].
- Cumulative PM-KISAN disbursal > ₹3.68 lakh crore as of March 2025 [S4].
8. Mains Relevance
- GS-III — "Major crops, cropping patterns; issues related to direct & indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices; PDS — objectives, functioning, limitations"; "Economics of animal-rearing"; "Food processing and related industries".
- Possible question stems: 1. "Despite a doubling of Agriculture & Allied GVA over the last decade, farmer incomes remain stagnant. Examine the structural reasons and suggest reforms." (15M) 2. "Allied sectors are emerging as the new engines of agricultural growth in India. Discuss with reference to livestock and fisheries." (10M) 3. "Critically evaluate the role of PM-KISAN and PMFBY in stabilising farm incomes." (15M)
9. Related Topics to Study Next
- Minimum Support Price (MSP) & CACP — pricing arm of GVA growth.
- PM-AASHA, PM-KISAN, PMFBY — direct income & risk-cover schemes [S4][S5].
- eNAM and APMC reforms — market efficiency angle.
- Doubling Farmers' Income (Ashok Dalwai Committee) — benchmark report.
- National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) — environmental linkage.
- Blue Revolution / PM Matsya Sampada Yojana — fisheries growth driver.
- Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund — livestock sub-sector.
- Agricultural Census 2021-22 & Situation Assessment Survey (NSSO 77th Round) — farmer income data.
10. Common Errors / Trap Areas
- GVA ≠ GDP: GVA is at basic prices (production side); GDP adds net taxes on products. Aspirants confuse the two.
- Releasing agency: GVA data released by MoSPI, not Ministry of Agriculture — frequent MCQ trap [S1].
- Base year: Current National Accounts base year is 2011-12 (revision to 2022-23 under process).
- PM-KISAN is a Central Sector Scheme (100% Union-funded), not Centrally Sponsored — often misclassified [S4].
- PMFBY is voluntary for loanee farmers since 2020 (earlier compulsory); area-based, not individual-based [S5].
- Sub-sector ranking: Crops > Livestock > Fishing — don't reverse [S1].
11. Sources
- [S1] Agriculture & Allied Sector GVA More Than Doubles to ₹48.77 Lakh Crore in 2023-24 — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2237739 — (tier: 1)
- [S2] Strengthening India's Agricultural Backbone (Foodgrain production) — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2098424 — (tier: 1)
- [S3] Agriculture GVA Grows by 10.4% in 2024–25: Provisional Estimates — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2222808 — (tier: 1)
- [S4] PM-KISAN 19th Instalment release — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2105462 — (tier: 1)
- [S5] Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana turns Nine — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2104175 — (tier: 1)
- [S6] Allied Sectors of Indian Agriculture — Economic Survey — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2034940 — (tier: 1)
