Context:
At the Agri Business Summit 2025, NITI Aayog and the Ministry of Agriculture shared projections and policy priorities for India’s agricultural sector. The focus was on farm growth, soil health, and sustainable farming practices essential for achieving Viksit Bharat targets.
Farm Growth Outlook for 2025-26
1. NITI Aayog Projects 4% Agricultural Growth
- Farm sector expected to grow 4% in FY 2025-26, up from 3.5% in FY 2024-25.
- Growth driven primarily by:
- Fisheries
- Livestock sector
- Agriculture continues to anchor rural employment and food security.
2. Growth Needed for Viksit Bharat Goal
NITI Aayog Member Ramesh Chand highlighted:
- India needs 5% annual agricultural growth to become Viksit Bharat (Developed Nation) by 2042.
- If agricultural growth remains around 4.6%, the target shifts to 2047–48.
- Sustained higher farm growth is essential for:
- raising farmer incomes
- strengthening rural demand
- supporting overall GDP expansion
Soil Health & Fertiliser Use
1. Balanced Fertiliser Use to Prevent Soil Degradation
Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan stressed:
- Overuse and imbalanced application of fertilisers (high urea dependence) are degrading soil quality.
- Balanced N-P-K ratio is vital for:
- maintaining soil fertility
- ensuring long-term productivity
- preventing nutrient mining
2. Implications of Soil Degradation
- Declining soil health threatens:
- crop yields
- food security
- sustainability of small and marginal farmers
- Excessive nitrogen use also leads to:
- groundwater contamination
- greenhouse gas emissions (nitrous oxide)
Sustainable Farming Practices
1. Integrated Farming Systems (IFS)
Chouhan emphasised promoting integrated farming, especially for small farmers:
- Combines crops, livestock, fisheries, horticulture.
- Enhances:
- income diversification
- risk resilience
- resource recycling (e.g., manure, crop residues)
- Particularly suitable for small landholdings, which dominate Indian agriculture.
2. Long-Term Vision
- Strengthening soil health + integrated farming = foundation for:
- climate-resilient agriculture
- improved productivity
- reduced input costs for farmers
Context:
At the Agri Business Summit 2025, NITI Aayog and the Ministry of Agriculture shared projections and policy priorities for India’s agricultural sector. The focus was on farm growth, soil health, and sustainable farming practices essential for achieving Viksit Bharat targets.
Farm Growth Outlook for 2025-26
1. NITI Aayog Projects 4% Agricultural Growth
- Farm sector expected to grow 4% in FY 2025-26, up from 3.5% in FY 2024-25.
- Growth driven primarily by:
- Fisheries
- Livestock sector
- Agriculture continues to anchor rural employment and food security.
2. Growth Needed for Viksit Bharat Goal
NITI Aayog Member Ramesh Chand highlighted:
- India needs 5% annual agricultural growth to become Viksit Bharat (Developed Nation) by 2042.
- If agricultural growth remains around 4.6%, the target shifts to 2047–48.
- Sustained higher farm growth is essential for:
- raising farmer incomes
- strengthening rural demand
- supporting overall GDP expansion
Soil Health & Fertiliser Use
1. Balanced Fertiliser Use to Prevent Soil Degradation
Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan stressed:
- Overuse and imbalanced application of fertilisers (high urea dependence) are degrading soil quality.
- Balanced N-P-K ratio is vital for:
- maintaining soil fertility
- ensuring long-term productivity
- preventing nutrient mining
2. Implications of Soil Degradation
- Declining soil health threatens:
- crop yields
- food security
- sustainability of small and marginal farmers
- Excessive nitrogen use also leads to:
- groundwater contamination
- greenhouse gas emissions (nitrous oxide)
Sustainable Farming Practices
1. Integrated Farming Systems (IFS)
Chouhan emphasised promoting integrated farming, especially for small farmers:
- Combines crops, livestock, fisheries, horticulture.
- Enhances:
- income diversification
- risk resilience
- resource recycling (e.g., manure, crop residues)
- Particularly suitable for small landholdings, which dominate Indian agriculture.
2. Long-Term Vision
- Strengthening soil health + integrated farming = foundation for:
- climate-resilient agriculture
- improved productivity
- reduced input costs for farmers
