Context:
The National Statistics Office (NSO) under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has released its annual “Statistical Report on Value of Output from Agriculture and Allied Sectors (2011–12 to 2023–24).”
· This detailed publication provides updated data on crop, livestock, forestry, and fishing activities across India, both at current and constant prices (base year 2011–12).
Key Highlights of the Report:
· Growth in GVA and GVO: The Gross Value Added (GVA) of agriculture and allied sectors at current prices rose sharply by about 225%, from ₹1,502 thousand crore in 2011–12 to ₹4,878 thousand crore in 2023–24. At constant prices, the Gross Value of Output (GVO) increased steadily by 54.6%, reaching ₹2,949 thousand crore.
· Dominance of the Crop Sector: The crop sector remained the single largest contributor to GVO. In 2023–24, its output stood at ₹1,595 thousand crore (constant prices), accounting for 54.1% of total agricultural GVO. Within this, cereals and fruits & vegetables together made up more than half (52.5%) of crop output. Paddy and wheat alone represented around 85% of cereal GVO.
· Regional Patterns in Cereal Production: Five States—Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Telangana, and Haryana—collectively contributed nearly 53% of India’s cereal GVO in 2023–24. Although Uttar Pradesh retained the top position, its share decreased from 18.6% in 2011–12 to 17.2% in 2023–24.
· Changing Dynamics in Fruits and Vegetables: In fruits, Banana overtook Mango as the largest contributor in 2023–24, with GVO of ₹47.0 thousand crore compared to Mango’s ₹46.1 thousand crore. Potato remained the leading vegetable throughout the period, rising from ₹21.3 thousand crore to ₹37.2 thousand crore. Floriculture also expanded significantly, almost doubling its output to ₹28.1 thousand crore, indicating a shift toward high-value horticulture.
· Rise of Condiments and Spices: Madhya Pradesh emerged as the top producer in condiments and spices with a 19.2% share in 2023–24. Karnataka (16.6%) and Gujarat (15.5%) followed, reflecting regional diversification in spice cultivation.
· Livestock Sector Expansion: Livestock products saw marked growth, with GVO increasing from ₹488 thousand crore to ₹919 thousand crore. Milk remained dominant but slightly reduced its share from 67.2% to 65.9%. The meat group grew from 19.7% to 24.1%, highlighting rising demand for animal protein.
· Forestry and Logging Trends: Forestry output grew moderately, from ₹149 thousand crore to ₹227 thousand crore. The share of industrial wood increased substantially from 49.9% to 70.2%, suggesting shifts in forestry use.
· Importance of Fisheries: Fishing and aquaculture became increasingly significant, with their share in agricultural GVO rising from 4.2% to 7%. Notably, the share of marine fish expanded from 42.3% to 49.8%, while inland fish declined proportionately. Major production shifts occurred in West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh.
Conclusion
The report underscores the steady growth and changing composition of India’s agriculture. The increasing role of horticulture, livestock diversification, and fisheries points to evolving consumption patterns and commercial opportunities. These insights are crucial for planning policies aimed at boosting farmer incomes, improving food security, and promoting sustainable development in rural areas.
