India recorded an unprecedented foodgrain production of 357.73 MMT in 2024-25, alongside horticulture output of 362.08 MT, reaffirming its position as a global agricultural powerhouse. Agricultural exports also touched USD 51.1 billion in FY25, reflecting sustained growth across the sector.
Background: Key Numbers at a Glance
- Agriculture accounts for nearly one-fifth of India’s GVA, employs 1% of the workforce and supports ~55% of the population.
- Sector has grown at an average of 4% annually over the past five years.
- Budget allocation rose from Rs 21,933 crore (2013-14) to Rs 1.30 lakh crore (2026-27).
- Under PM-KISAN, Rs 4.27 lakh crore disbursed in 22 instalments.
- Crop insurance claims exceeded Rs 1.90 lakh crore.
Record Agricultural Production (2024-25)
Foodgrains : 357.73 MMT (up by 25.43 MMT over previous year), driven by higher output of rice, wheat, maize and millets (Shree Anna).
Horticulture: 362.08 MT, comprising:
- Fruits — 114.51 MT
- Vegetables — 219.67 MT
- Other horticultural crops — 33.54 MT
Horticulture output has grown from 280.70 MT (2013-14) to 367.72 MT (2024-25) as per second advance estimates.
India’s Global Ranking in Key Commodities
Cereals & Pulses:
- Rice: 2nd largest producer globally — 150.18 MT; leading states: UP, Telangana, West Bengal
- Wheat: 2nd largest producer — 117.94 MT; leading states: UP, MP, Punjab
- Pulses: Global leader — 25.68 MT; leading states: MP, Maharashtra, Rajasthan
- Millets (Shree Anna): 1st globally — 18.59 MT; leading states: Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Karnataka
Horticulture:
- Fruits & Vegetables: 2nd largest producer globally
- Dry Onion: 1st globally; contributes ~25% of world output; mainly Maharashtra, MP, Gujarat
Cash Crops:
- Sugarcane: 2nd largest — 454.61 MT; UP and Maharashtra lead
- Cotton: 2nd largest — ~5.05 MT; Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat lead
- Tea: 2nd largest — 1.203 MT (Apr–Dec 2024-25); Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu lead
- Spices: World’s largest producer — 12 MMT (2023-24); MP, Gujarat, AP lead
- Coconut: 1st globally — ~21.3 billion nuts annually
- Coffee: 0.36 MT annually; ~70% exported to 128 countries; Karnataka, Kerala, TN lead
Agricultural Exports Performance
- Total agri exports grew from USD 34.5 billion (FY20) to USD 51.1 billion (FY25) — CAGR of 2%.
- Agri-food exports (including processed food): USD 49.43 billion in FY25 — 2% of total exports.
- Share of processed food exports rose from 9% (FY18) to 20.4% (FY25).
Commodity-wise Export Highlights (2024-25):
- Rice: USD 12.95 billion
- Pulses: USD 855 million
- Millets: USD 59.20 million
- Fruits & Vegetables: USD 1,818.56 million
- Spices: USD 4.52 billion
- Coconut: USD 513 million
- Tea (Apr–Oct FY26): USD 605.90 million (+15.16% YoY)
- Coffee (Apr–Oct FY26): USD 1,176.31 million (+12% YoY)
- Cotton (to USA, Jan–Oct 2025): USD 31.31 billion