The Agricultural Sector is Predicted to Expand by 3.5% in Financial Year 2026 According to Shivraj Singh Chouhan
India aims for a 3.5% growth in the agricultural sector for the fiscal year 2025-26, as announced by Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. Supported by robust outreach initiatives and innovative technologies, this effort is designed to enhance productivity and lower operational costs. Additionally, Chouhan defended the government’s decision to reverse the Indus Water Treaty, calling it a necessary historical rectification.
Speaking on Monday, Chouhan projected that the agricultural sector could achieve a growth rate of 3.5% in the upcoming fiscal year. “On a global scale, a growth rate of 1.5-2% in agriculture is considered commendable. India, however, is consistently reaching a growth rate of at least 3-3.5%. We anticipate maintaining this growth even in 2025-26,” he commented while launching a significant outreach program aimed at educating farmers about modern agricultural practices ahead of the kharif season.
The gross value added (GVA) in agriculture and allied sectors rose by an impressive 3.8% in fiscal year 2025, according to second advance estimates, compared to just 1.4% in fiscal year 2024. Chouhan emphasized that efforts to enhance kharif production by integrating new agricultural technologies would involve a team of 2,170 personnel, including 3,749 agricultural scientists from the Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR) and individuals affiliated with 2,980 krishi vigyan kendras. These teams are set to visit 65,000 villages across 723 districts between May 29 and June 12.
The purpose of this two-week campaign is to inform farmers about agriculture practices tailored to their specific climatic conditions. “Our goal is to directly reach over 1.30 crore farmers this season and bridge the divide between laboratory innovations and practical applications in the field. This will help farmers adopt new methods that reduce production costs and enhance agricultural profitability,” Chouhan explained. Following this initiative, a similar campaign will be rolled out for the rabi season to further boost productivity and lower costs for farmers.
Chouhan noted that there has been a disconnect between the advancements made by ICAR institutes and the actual adoption of these technologies by farmers to improve their productivity and income levels. While addressing various states about their roles in the campaign, he described the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan as an essential step towards enhancing agricultural output. He noted the steady increase in food grains production to meet the rising domestic demands, stating, “Our vision is to one day establish India as the world’s leading food basket.”
With expectations for ‘above normal’ monsoon rains, the government has set an ambitious target of 354.64 million tonnes (MT) for food grain production in the 2025-26 crop year (July-June), signifying a 4% increase from the current (2024-25) crop year target, which is at an all-time high.
While engaging with farmers’ associations from the northern region, Chouhan justified the government’s suspension of the Indus Water Treaty, labeling it a historic wrong inflicted upon Indian farmers. He described the reversal of the treaty as a vital correction, asserting, “In 1960, Pandit Nehru relinquished over 80% of the Indus River’s water to Pakistan along with Rs 83 crore, which now equates to Rs 5,500 crore. This action was taken despite opposition from India’s water experts.”
