Manya Rathore
Research expert covering India
Agriculture in India - statistics & facts
As the leading sector in terms of employment and contributing over 18 percent to the country's gross value added, agriculture in India is responsible for the livelihoods of millions. Thanks to its large, geographically diverse land, Indians can explore and thrive in various aspects of the industry: farming, forestry, and fishing. Referred to as the backbone of the Indian economy, the industry has seen a shift towards Agriculture 4.0, which integrates advanced technologies like IoT, AI, robotics, and precision farming to improve efficiency and yields.
Farming India's vast lands and its livestock
India's arable land is the second largest in the world and has consistently been the highest contributor to agriculture. Food crops, grains, cereals, and millets are the most produced. Globally, India is a key producer of spices, rice, pulses, and milk. Not only is farming livestock a valuable source of buffer income for farmers, but it is also crucial in making the country the leading producer of milk globally. The country's dairy market is one of the most successful worldwide. In terms of meat, poultry accounted for nearly half the market, with buffalo meat ranking second. Despite the cultural reverence for cattle, India remains one of the largest exporters of beef and veal worldwide.
Fisheries and forestry contribution in India
Inland fishing, peninsular India, and access to marine life in the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, and Indian Ocean make up India's aquaculture market. This sector contributed about seven percent to agriculture's gross value added and made the country one of the leading aquaculture producers worldwide. India's forestry sector, although not as significant in terms of direct GDP contribution, is important in providing industrial raw materials to other markets, including paper, pharma, furniture, and construction. However, over 2.3 million hectares of tree cover have been lost since 2001, with significant portions diverted towards mining and road construction.
Imbalanced workforce and economic contribution
Agriculture employment figures have seen a shift due to the adoption of agritech innovations and modern farming methods. With a booming service sector and the government's push towards self-sustainability within the manufacturing sector, India could use a redistribution of its workforce. On the bright side, the government's push towards modernizing conventional farming methods and improving efficiency with the use of technology could be beneficial for the ever-increasing food demand, optimizing the workforce. India's startup ecosystem fueled agritech, with the sector seeing dozens of funding deals annually in recent years, though progress remains modest compared to other sectors.
