Slow pace of increase in food grain production

08-Jul-2025 04:06 PM

New Delhi. The recently released statistical report on the value of production from agriculture and allied sectors shows that between 2011-12 and 2023-24, farmers increasingly shifted their focus from traditional crops to high-value crops, along with growing interest in sectors such as animal husbandry and fisheries.

Despite this shift, food grains continue to remain the backbone of Indian agriculture. The contribution of paddy to the total food grain output rose from 50.6 percent to 52.6 percent during this period.

However, the share of wheat declined from 35 percent to 33 percent, with a sharper fall observed after 2020-21. Maize, on the other hand, saw a notable increase in its share, rising from 7.7 percent to 9.3 percent, driven by rising demand for seed production and industrial usage.

The share of coarse cereals like jowar, bajra, and ragi remains relatively low. Jowar and ragi have shown a declining trend, and price fluctuations have added to the challenges. Small millets and other cereals contributed marginally, with limited impact.

In the pulses category, gram retained the top position in terms of contribution, but its production has shown volatility.

Consequently, its share in total pulse production fell from 46 percent to 42.7 percent. Tur (pigeon pea) reached a peak share of 23.1 percent in 2016-17 but dropped to 15.6 percent by 2023-24.

Moong has gradually increased its share, urad has remained stable, and lentils have shown a slight improvement. Minor pulses such as khesari, moth, rajma, kulthi, and lobia have continued to contribute modestly, though a gradual improvement has been noted in recent years.