India’s vision of becoming a developed nation (Viksit Bharat) by 2047 requires sustained economic growth of around 8 per cent annually. Agriculture will play a central role in this journey, given its contribution to national income, employment, and inclusive development.
The paper highlights the strong performance of Indian agriculture over the past decade. Between 2015–16 and 2024–25, the sector achieved an average annual growth rate of 4.45 per cent—the highest recorded for any decade—while becoming more resilient, with lower volatility and no negative growth years.
High-value sectors such as livestock and fisheries have grown faster than crops, while diversification towards horticulture, spices, and fodder has accelerated. These shifts reflect changing consumer demand for fruits, vegetables, animal products, and processed foods. Farmers’ incomes have also more than doubled at current prices during the past decade.
The paper identifies both price incentives and non-price factors as key drivers of growth but cautions against excessive reliance on MSP-led expansion due to potential fiscal and market distortions. Looking ahead, slower growth in domestic food demand may lead to rising surpluses, requiring greater emphasis on exports, agro-processing, bio-based industries, and efficient value chains.
To sustain agricultural growth above 4 per cent and support the Viksit Bharat vision, the paper calls for higher investment in infrastructure, research and development, market reforms, farmer aggregation, and sustainability. Addressing challenges related to water, soil health, climate change, and smallholder viability will be essential for building a resilient, competitive, and sustainable agri-food system.
