Economic Survey Shows Strong Gains in Agriculture, Rural India: Chouhan

Livelihood initiatives have seen major gains under the National Rural Livelihoods Mission, with more than 10 crore rural women now linked to over 90 lakh Self-Help Groups.

Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday said the latest Economic Survey clearly demonstrates that India has made unprecedented progress in agriculture and rural development under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.

Reacting to the survey’s findings, the Minister said sustained policy focus and reforms have strengthened farm resilience, boosted production, and transformed rural infrastructure and livelihoods across the country.

Sustained and stable growth in agriculture

Shri Chouhan said the agriculture and allied sectors recorded an average annual growth rate of 4.4% at constant prices over the past five years — higher than the global average. Between FY 2016 and FY 2025, the sector achieved a decadal growth rate of 4.45%, the highest compared to previous decades.

He added that even in Q2 of FY 2025–26, agriculture grew by 3.5%, underlining the sector’s strength and resilience despite global uncertainties.

In FY 2024–25, India achieved a record foodgrain production of 357.73 million tonnes, driven by higher output of rice, wheat, maize and coarse cereals, including Shree Anna (millets).

“India is now not only self-reliant in foodgrain production but also a global leader in several crops,” the Minister said.

Horticulture emerges as a bright spot

Highlighting structural transformation within agriculture, Shri Chouhan said the horticulture sector, accounting for nearly 33% of agricultural Gross Value Added (GVA), has emerged as the brightest growth area.

Horticulture production rose from 280.70 million tonnes in FY 2013–14 to 367.72 million tonnes in FY 2024–25. This includes 114.51 million tonnes of fruits, 219.67 million tonnes of vegetables, and 33.54 million tonnes of other horticultural crops.

India has now become the world’s largest producer of onions, contributing nearly 25% of global output, and the second-largest producer of fruits, vegetables and potatoes, with a global share of 12–13% in each category.

Historic expansion of rural infrastructure

On rural development, Shri Chouhan said India has witnessed historic expansion in infrastructure, covering roads, housing, drinking water and digital connectivity.

Under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), more than 99.6% of eligible habitations have been connected with all-weather roads. Lakhs of kilometres of roads and thousands of bridges have been constructed across different phases of the scheme.

Under PMGSY-IV, road projects covering over 10,000 kilometres have been approved, benefiting nearly 3,270 unconnected habitations in Jammu and Kashmir, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Sikkim and Himachal Pradesh.

Housing, digital empowerment and livelihoods transformed

The Minister said the Housing for All mission has delivered 3.70 crore pucca houses in rural areas over the past 11 years. Under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana–Gramin, a target of 4.14 crore houses has been set, with most already sanctioned.

Digital empowerment has also accelerated. Under the SVAMITVA scheme, drone surveys have been completed in 3.28 lakh villages, and 2.76 crore property cards issued. Meanwhile, 99.8% of rural land records have been digitised under the Digital India Land Records Modernisation Programme.

Livelihood initiatives have seen major gains under the National Rural Livelihoods Mission, with more than 10 crore rural women now linked to over 90 lakh Self-Help Groups. The number of ‘Lakhpati Didis’ has crossed 2.5 crore, marking a significant milestone in women’s economic empowerment.

Inclusive growth at the core

Shri Chouhan said the Economic Survey reflects how consistent policy direction, institutional reforms and targeted investments have strengthened agriculture and transformed rural India.

“These outcomes reaffirm the government’s commitment to inclusive growth, farmer welfare and sustainable rural development, ensuring that villages remain central to India’s journey towards becoming a developed nation,” he said.