Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, and Rural Development, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday reacted to the Economic Survey and said that the survey’s data clearly demonstrates that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the country has made unprecedented progress on both, the agriculture and rural development, fronts.

Sustained and stable growth in agriculture

Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that over the past five years, the agriculture and allied sectors have recorded an average annual growth rate of 4.4 percent at constant prices, which is higher than the global average. During the decade from financial year 2016 to 2025, the agricultural sector posted a decadal growth rate of 4.45 percent, the highest compared to previous decades.

He added that even in the second quarter of financial year 2025–26, the agriculture sector registered a growth rate of 3.5 percent, reflecting its strength and resilience.

The Union Minister said that in the financial year 2024–25, the country’s foodgrain production reached a record level of 357.73 million tonnes. This increase was primarily driven by improved output of rice, wheat, maize and coarse cereals, including ‘Shree Anna’ (millets). Today, India is not only self-reliant in foodgrain production but is also playing a leading role globally in several crops.

Horticulture emerges as a bright spot in agricultural growth

Shri Chouhan said that with nearly a 33 percent share in agricultural gross value added (GVA), the horticulture sector has emerged as the brightest spot in Indian agriculture. Horticulture production increased from 280.70 million tonnes in the financial year 2013–14 to 367.72 million tonnes in 2024–25.

During this period, fruit production stood at 114.51 million tonnes, vegetable production at 219.67 million tonnes, and other horticultural crops at 33.54 million tonnes.

The Union Agriculture Minister said that India has now become the world’s largest producer of onions, contributing nearly 25 percent to global onion production. At the same time, India is the world’s second-largest producer of vegetables, fruits and potatoes, with a global share of around 12–13 percent in each of these categories.

Historic expansion of infrastructure in rural India

Highlighting achievements in rural development, Shri Chouhan said that there has been remarkable progress in rural infrastructure, including roads, housing, drinking water and digital connectivity. Under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), more than 99.6 percent of eligible habitations have now been connected with all-weather roads.

He said that under various phases of PMGSY, construction of lakhs of kilometres of roads and thousands of bridges has been completed. Under PMGSY-IV, road projects covering more than 10,000 kilometres have been approved, which will ensure access to essential services for nearly 3,270 unconnected habitations across Jammu and Kashmir, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Sikkim and Himachal Pradesh.

Transformation in housing, digital empowerment and livelihoods

Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that under the mission of ‘Housing for All’, 3.70 crore pucca houses have been constructed in rural areas over the past 11 years. Under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana–Gramin, a target of 4.14 crore houses has been set, most of which have already been sanctioned.

Referring to digital and technological initiatives, Shri Chouhan said that under the SVAMITVA (Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas) scheme, drone surveys have been completed in 3.28 lakh villages and 2.76 crore property cards have been issued. Under the Digital India Land Records Modernisation Programme, digitisation of 99.8 percent of land records in rural areas has been completed.

Under the National Rural Livelihoods Mission, more than 10 crore rural women are now connected to over 90 lakh Self-Help Groups. The number of ‘Lakhpati Didis’ has crossed 2.5 crore, marking a major achievement in the economic empowerment of rural women.

Shri Chouhan said that the Economic Survey reflects how consistent policy focus, institutional reforms and targeted investments have strengthened agriculture and transformed rural India. He added that these outcomes underline the government’s commitment to inclusive growth, farmer welfare and sustainable rural development, ensuring that villages play a central role in India’s journey towards becoming a developed nation.

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RC/PU/MK

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