Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday, 2 February 2026, said the Economic Survey clearly documents the unprecedented progress achieved in agriculture and rural development under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He noted that the data reflects the resilience, productivity, and structural transformation of rural India over the past decade.
Sustained and Stable Growth in Agriculture
Highlighting long-term performance, Shri Chouhan said that agriculture and allied sectors recorded an average annual growth rate of 4.4% over the past five years at constant prices—higher than the global average. Over the decade from FY 2016 to FY 2025, the sector posted a decadal growth rate of 4.45%, the highest among previous decades.
Even amid global uncertainties, agriculture remained resilient, registering 3.5% growth in Q2 of FY 2025–26, underscoring the sector’s stability and adaptive capacity.
Record Foodgrain Production and Global Leadership
The Union Minister said foodgrain production touched a record 357.73 million tonnes in FY 2024–25, driven by higher output of rice, wheat, maize, and coarse cereals, including Shree Anna (millets). He emphasised that India has achieved foodgrain self-reliance and now plays a leading global role in several crops.
Horticulture Emerges as a Bright Spot
With nearly 33% share in agricultural Gross Value Added (GVA), horticulture has become the brightest segment of Indian agriculture. Shri Chouhan said horticulture output rose from 280.70 million tonnes in FY 2013–14 to 367.72 million tonnes in FY 2024–25.
Break-up of production in FY 2024–25 includes:
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Fruits: 114.51 million tonnes
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Vegetables: 219.67 million tonnes
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Other horticultural crops: 33.54 million tonnes
India is now the world’s largest producer of onions, contributing nearly 25% of global production, and the second-largest producer of vegetables, fruits, and potatoes, with a 12–13% global share in each category.
Historic Expansion of Rural Infrastructure
Calling it a historic expansion, Shri Chouhan highlighted major strides in rural infrastructure—roads, housing, drinking water, and digital connectivity. Under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, 99.6% of eligible habitations are now connected with all-weather roads.
He said lakhs of kilometres of roads and thousands of bridges have been built across various phases of PMGSY. Under PMGSY-IV, projects covering over 10,000 kilometres have been approved to connect 3,270 unconnected habitations across Jammu & Kashmir, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Sikkim, and Himachal Pradesh.
Transformation in Housing, Digital Empowerment and Livelihoods
Under the mission of Housing for All, 3.70 crore pucca houses have been constructed 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.
On digital empowerment, Shri Chouhan said:
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SVAMITVA scheme has completed drone surveys in 3.28 lakh villages, issuing 2.76 crore property cards.
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99.8% of rural land records have been digitised under the Digital India Land Records Modernisation Programme.
Women-Led Livelihoods Drive Rural Prosperity
Under the National Rural Livelihoods Mission, more than 10 crore rural women are connected to over 90 lakh Self-Help Groups. The number of ‘Lakhpati Didis’ has crossed 2.5 crore, marking a major milestone in women’s economic empowerment.
Conclusion: Economic Survey
Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan said the Economic Survey captures how consistent policy focus, institutional reforms, and targeted investments have strengthened agriculture and transformed rural India. These outcomes, he added, 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.
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Source: PIB
