The need to continue the progress in the agricultural sector

07-Jan-2026 09:00 PM

New Delhi. Although the use of modern technology and methods is rapidly increasing in India's vast agricultural sector, leading to a gradual increase in production, further serious efforts will be needed to maintain the continuity of this development.

The Central Ministry of Agriculture, in collaboration with the agricultural departments of various states, is making appropriate efforts in this direction.

India has already achieved self-sufficiency in the production of paddy (rice) and wheat, and the production of millets/coarse grains is also sufficient to meet domestic demand and needs. Sugarcane production is also good, eliminating the need for sugar imports.

However, the situation is different for pulses and oilseeds. Cotton can also be included in this category to some extent.

The situation is that while India remains the world's leading exporter of rice and also ships wheat, maize, and sugar from time to time, it is also the largest importer of edible oils and pulses. It is extremely important to address this anomaly.

It is not that the area under cultivation for pulses and oilseeds is limited in India; rather, the area under oilseed crops like soybean, mustard, and groundnut is very large, but the expected production is not achieved due to the low average yield. There is a strong need to increase this yield