Unlocking India's Agricultural Potential: Growth Strategies for a Thriving Future

India's agriculture sector is projected to grow at a slower rate of 4% in the 2025-26 fiscal year compared to the previous year's 4.6%. NITI Aayog's Ramesh Chand emphasizes the need for innovative growth strategies to achieve a 5% growth rate, crucial for India's economic goals.

India's agriculture sector is forecasted to grow at a rate of 4% in the fiscal year 2025-26, a decrease from the 4.6% observed last year, a senior government official revealed. According to Ramesh Chand from Niti Aayog, identifying specific reasons for the reduced growth remains complex.

Chand pointed out that the agri growth figures are subject to fluctuation due to low base effects and limited flood impacts in Punjab. The first half of FY 2025-26 showed a growth of 3.7% in the first quarter and 3.5% in the second quarter, indicating a potential return to normalcy in the latter half of the year.

Reaching a 5% growth rate in agriculture is crucial for India to transform into a developed nation. Industrial strategies like increasing crop intensity, expanding irrigation, and reducing yield disparities are highlighted as key growth drivers. Additionally, focusing on exportable surplus and effective resource utilization could catalyze economic expansion.

(With inputs from agencies.)