Union Minister Chouhan Highlights India’s Record Growth In Agriculture

Reacting to the Economic Survey, Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that the survey’s data clearly demonstrates the country’s unprecedented progress on both, the agriculture and rural development fronts. Mr Chouhan said that over the past five years, the agriculture and allied sectors have recorded an average annual growth rate of 4.4 percent at constant prices, which is higher than the global average. The Union Minister said that in the financial year 2024-25, the country’s foodgrain production reached a record level of 357.73 million tonnes.

He underlined that the increase was primarily driven by improved output of rice, wheat, maize and coarse cereals, including ‘Shree Anna’ (millets). Mr Chouhan highlighted that India today is not only self-reliant in foodgrain production but is also playing a leading role globally in several crops. Further, the Minister said that with nearly a 33 percent share in agricultural gross value added, the horticulture sector has emerged as the brightest spot in Indian agriculture.

Mr Chouhan mentioned that in the past 11 years, horticulture production of the country increased from 280.70 million tonnes to 367.72 million tonnes.(UPDATED ON 2ND FEBRUARY 2026)