What Happened
- The Government of India has highlighted India's resilient agricultural production systems, citing a record foodgrain output of 357.73 million metric tonnes (MMT) in 2024–25 and horticulture production reaching 362.08 MT.
- Agricultural exports grew from USD 34.5 billion in FY2020 to USD 51.1 billion in FY2025, reflecting an 8.2% compound annual growth rate (CAGR).
- The budget allocation for agriculture jumped from ₹21,933 crore in 2013–14 to ₹1,30,561 crore in 2026–27 — a six-fold increase over a decade.
- PM-KISAN has disbursed ₹4.27 lakh crore to farmers across 22 instalments; Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) covered 4.19 crore farmers in 2024–25, with cumulative claims exceeding ₹1.90 lakh crore.
- The e-NAM (National Agriculture Market) platform now connects 1.8 crore farmers across 1,656 mandis, enabling transparent price discovery.
- 6.85 lakh seed villages have been established, 25.55 crore Soil Health Cards issued, and 27,554 Custom Hiring Centres deployed to expand mechanisation access.
Static Topic Bridges
India's Agricultural Transformation: From Food Deficit to Global Exporter
India's agricultural journey from food-insecure nation (1960s) to global food exporter and record producer is one of the most studied development stories. The Green Revolution (1960s–70s), White Revolution (Operation Flood), and subsequent policy reforms have driven this transformation. Understanding this arc is essential for UPSC GS3.
- Green Revolution (1966–1977): High-yielding variety seeds (wheat, rice), irrigation expansion, fertiliser use — drove India from food deficits to surplus.
- India's global ranking in production: Rice (2nd globally, 150.18 MT), wheat (2nd, 117.94 MT), pulses (1st, 25.68 MT), millets (1st, 18.59 MT).
- Agricultural export growth (2020–2025): USD 34.5 bn to USD 51.1 bn; processed food share up to 20.4%.
- Challenges: Input cost pressures, climate change, groundwater depletion, fragmented landholdings (average < 1.1 ha), price volatility.
- National Food Security Act (2013): Covers 81.35 crore beneficiaries — 75% of rural and 50% of urban population under subsidised foodgrain entitlements.
Connection to this news: India's record 357.73 MMT foodgrain production validates the long-term investment in Green Revolution infrastructure, but export growth and value-chain advancement signal the transition from subsistence to commercial agriculture.
Major Agricultural Schemes: PM-KISAN, PMFBY, and e-NAM
A cluster of flagship schemes drives India's current agricultural policy — income support, risk insurance, and market linkage. These are heavily tested in UPSC Prelims for scheme details and in Mains for policy evaluation.
- PM-KISAN (2019): Direct income support of ₹6,000/year to eligible farmer families in three instalments; ₹4.27 lakh crore disbursed across 22 instalments to date.
- PMFBY (2016): Crop insurance covering notified crops against natural calamities; premium subsidised by Centre and states; 4.19 crore farmers covered in 2024–25; claims > ₹1.90 lakh crore.
- e-NAM (2016): Online agricultural market platform connecting APMC mandis; 1,656 mandis; 1.8 crore registered farmers — improves price transparency and reduces intermediary costs.
- PM-KMY (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojana): Pension scheme for small/marginal farmers; 24.95 lakh enrolled.
- Soil Health Cards: 25.55 crore issued — helps farmers make informed fertiliser decisions, reducing over-application.
Connection to this news: These schemes collectively form the institutional backbone of India's agricultural resilience — income floors (PM-KISAN), risk buffers (PMFBY), and market access (e-NAM) address the three core vulnerabilities of Indian farming.
Climate Resilience in Indian Agriculture: NICRA and National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture
As climate change intensifies, the Government has embedded resilience into agricultural planning through dedicated missions and research programmes. UPSC increasingly tests the intersection of agriculture, climate adaptation, and sustainability.
- NICRA (National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture): ICAR programme; climate risk and vulnerability assessed for 651 agricultural districts; 310 found vulnerable (109 "very high," 201 "highly" vulnerable).
- National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA): One of eight missions under NAPCC (National Action Plan on Climate Change); focuses on making agriculture resilient through water conservation, soil management, and diversified farming.
- Per Drop More Crop: Micro-irrigation (drip and sprinkler) to improve water-use efficiency.
- Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY): ₹31,500/ha over 3 years to promote organic farming.
- Rainfed Area Development: Promotes Integrated Farming Systems to reduce risk from rainfall variability.
- Budget 2026–27: ₹1,30,561 crore allocated to Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
Connection to this news: The PIB's framing of "resilient production systems" explicitly invokes climate adaptation — linking record production to the institutional infrastructure (seeds, soil management, irrigation, insurance) that buffers farmers from climate shocks.
Key Facts & Data
- Foodgrain production 2024–25: 357.73 MMT (record high).
- Horticulture production 2024–25: 362.08 MT.
- Global rankings: Rice (2nd, 150.18 MT), Wheat (2nd, 117.94 MT), Pulses (1st, 25.68 MT), Millets (1st, 18.59 MT).
- Agricultural export growth: USD 34.5 bn (FY20) → USD 51.1 bn (FY25); 8.2% CAGR; processed food 20.4%.
- Agriculture budget: ₹21,933 crore (2013–14) → ₹1,30,561 crore (2026–27).
- PM-KISAN: ₹4.27 lakh crore disbursed; 22 instalments.
- PMFBY: 4.19 crore farmers covered in 2024–25; ₹1.90 lakh crore claims paid out.
- e-NAM: 1,656 mandis; 1.8 crore registered farmers.
- Soil Health Cards issued: 25.55 crore.
- Seed villages established: 6.85 lakh.
- Custom Hiring Centres: 27,554 deployed.
- NFSA coverage: 81.35 crore beneficiaries.