Archive · 21 Nov 2025
India's Farm Growth & Trade Paradox
India's farms are expected to grow by 4% each year for the next ten years.
To support this growth, the country needs to build more warehouses and consider exporting more agricultural products.
Despite producing a lot of farm goods, India's agricultural imports have increased, which is puzzling because you'd expect imports to decrease with more production.
India's agriculture sector predicted to grow at 4% annually for next decade
Warehousing infrastructure enhancement needed to support growth
Exporting agricultural products identified as key strategy
India emerged as world's second-largest agricultural commodities producer
Agricultural imports increased by $9.85 billion in two years, despite rising output
- Who
- NITI Aayog member Ramesh Chand, India's agricultural sector, Indian consumers, global agricultural market
- What
- Predicted a 4% growth rate for India's agriculture sector, increased agricultural imports
- When
- Thursday (growth prediction), 2022-23 to 2024-25 (import increase)
- Where
- At an event organized by industry body PHDCCI, India's agricultural markets
- Why
- To discuss strategies for supporting agricultural growth, to understand the reason behind increasing imports despite rising output
Proponents of Domestic Consumption
Advocates of Export Expansion
Domestic Consumption vs. Exports
Proponents of Domestic Consumption
Prioritize domestic consumption to ensure food security and control prices
Advocates of Export Expansion
Expand exports to increase farmer incomes and reduce waste
Imports Increase Paradox
Proponents of Domestic Consumption
Investigate reasons for increasing imports despite higher production
Advocates of Export Expansion
Focus on export strategies to boost farmer incomes
- Current Growth Rate
- 3.7% in the first quarter of 2025-26
- Predicted Growth Rate
- 4% over the next 10 years
- Agricultural Products Demand Growth
- 2.5% per year
- India's Rank in Agricultural Commodities Production
- Second-largest in the world
- India's Rank in Agricultural Commodities Export
- Eighth-largest in the world
