Foodgrain output set to scale new peak in 2025 as farm sector eyes 4% growth – Newz9

NEW DELHI: India is poised to obtain new heights in foodgrain manufacturing in 2025, pushed by favorable monsoon, although vital challenges persist in pulses and oilseeds manufacturing as the nation’s agricultural sector reveals indicators of sturdy restoration. The Agriculture Ministry’s preliminary projections paint an optimistic image, with kharif (summer time) foodgrain manufacturing estimated at a document 164.7 million tonnes for the 2024-25 crop 12 months ending June 2025.
Winter crop planting has maintained regular progress, with wheat sown throughout 29.31 million hectares as of mid-December 2024, whereas complete Rabi (winter) crops cowl 55.88 million hectares.
“We had a good kharif crop because of normal rainfall,” Agriculture Secretary Devesh Chaturvedi informed PTI.
“Overall, the crop prospect for the whole year looks promising,” he added, although cautioning in opposition to potential warmth waves in February-March that would have an effect on the winter wheat harvest.
The agricultural sector is projected to bounce again strongly, with growth projections of three.5-4 per cent in 2024-25, up from 1.4 per cent in the earlier fiscal 12 months.
Agri-economist S Mahendra Dev attributes this enchancment to “good monsoon and rise in rural demand”.
This growth comes regardless of localized floods and droughts affecting crops in components of Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan. Climate change-induced climate anomalies have notably impacted onion and tomato yields in sure areas.
However, the trail forward isn’t with out hurdles.
To handle the persistent problem of self-sufficiency in pulses and oilseeds, the federal government will roll out the National Mission on Edible Oils – Oilseeds (NMEO-Oilseeds) in 2025, backed by a considerable finances of Rs 10,103 crore. The initiative goals to cut back import dependency by focused interventions and elevated assist costs.
The horticulture sector has proven outstanding progress, with document manufacturing of vegatables and fruits. The success is attributed to improved farming practices and know-how adoption beneath numerous authorities schemes.
The sector is witnessing elevated technological adoption, with drones and AI-pushed instruments gaining traction. “These innovations offer immense potential to enhance productivity,” mentioned Ashish Dobhal, CEO of UPL Sustainable AgriOptions.
The authorities’s flagship PM-KISAN scheme continues to present essential assist, having disbursed over Rs 3.46 lakh crore to greater than 11 crore farmers since its 2018 launch.
Seven new agricultural schemes introduced in September 2024, with a mixed outlay of Rs 13,966 crore, are set for full implementation in 2025. These initiatives span numerous features of agriculture, together with digital transformation, crop science, livestock well being, and pure useful resource administration.
However, farmer unrest stays a priority, notably in Punjab and Haryana, the place calls for for authorized MSP ensures and different reforms persist.
A parliamentary committee has recommended doubling the PM-KISAN assist to Rs 12,000 per beneficiary and implementing common crop insurance coverage for small farmers.
While farmer-producer organizations (FPOs) have expanded with 9,204 registrations, they proceed to face challenges, together with restricted market entry and weak managerial capability, probably affecting their lengthy-time period sustainability.
Looking forward, the agriculture ministry plans to conduct a benchmarking research evaluating its crop insurance coverage scheme PMFBY with related packages globally, aiming to undertake greatest practices inside the PMFBY ecosystem.
While authorities schemes have proven various ranges of success, consultants be aware that many require revision and focused intervention to handle particular challenges in the farm sector successfully. “Only a few of the central schemes have been impactful, while the rest need a re-look,” Dev noticed.
The coming 12 months might be essential for India’s agricultural sector as it balances conventional farming practices with technological innovation whereas addressing persistent challenges in meals safety and farmer welfare.
The success of new initiatives and their implementation will possible decide the sector’s trajectory towards sustainable growth and self-sufficiency in key crop classes.
Key considerations stay concerning MSP implementation effectiveness and excessive enter prices, notably for fertilizers and pesticides. The sector’s skill to handle these challenges whereas sustaining manufacturing growth might be essential for attaining its formidable targets for 2025.