In a country like India, where agriculture plays a pivotal role, fluctuations in agricultural production hold significant importance. With a rapidly growing population and increasing demand for agricultural products, it is essential to ensure that agricultural output keeps pace. Failure to do so can negatively impact economic growth. Conversely, maintaining a steady rate of agricultural production can have a favorable effect on economic development. Hence, it is imperative to analyze trends in agricultural production. India’s agricultural output can be broadly categorized into two main segments:
- Food Crops
- Commercial Crops
Read More: Explain the Importance of Agriculture in India
What is Agricultural Production?
Agricultural production refers to the process of cultivating crops, raising livestock, and harvesting other natural resources for human use. It encompasses all activities involved in growing, harvesting, processing, and distributing agricultural products such as crops, fruits, vegetables, grains, livestock, poultry, and dairy products. Agricultural production is essential for meeting food demands, generating income, supporting livelihoods, and contributing to the overall economy.
Trends in the Production of Food Crops
Changes in the production of food items such as rice, wheat, pulses, and oilseeds have a significant impact on the economic development of the country. These items are essential commodities and play a crucial role in wage distribution. Adequate supply of these items brings immense relief to impoverished communities and helps stabilize price levels, thereby positively impacting people’s standard of living. The trend of change in food grain production in the capital city since independence is elucidated in the table below.
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Trends in the Production of Foodgrains
- Increase in Production: Over the past 70 years, grain production in India has seen a remarkable surge, increasing by approximately 6 times, while grain yield has risen by about 3.1 times. Notably, rice production has escalated by 5.5 times, and wheat production has seen an astounding 100-fold increase. In 1949-50, food grain production stood at 549 lakh tonnes, a figure that surged to 3,107 lakh tonnes in 2020-21. The estimated food grain production for 2021-22 is 3,145 lakh tonnes.
- Variation in Production Trends: India has experienced considerable variation in food grain production across different regions and schemes. While some regions have witnessed increases, others have seen declines. Similarly, fluctuations in the growth rate of agricultural production have been observed, with some periods showing positive growth and others negative.
- Effect of Weather: Weather, particularly rainfall, continues to exert a significant influence on India’s food grain production. Fluctuations in rainfall patterns, whether excessive or deficient, greatly affect agricultural output. Agriculture in India remains vulnerable to climatic uncertainties, with 51 percent of the population still reliant on rain-fed agriculture. Droughts, floods, and erratic rainfall patterns adversely impact agricultural production, underscoring the inherent gamble associated with farming in India.
- Regional Disparities: Indian agriculture exhibits significant regional variations. States like Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Madhya Pradesh have witnessed substantial increases in food grain production. In contrast, states such as Kerala, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha have experienced minimal growth in food grain production. Consequently, while surplus food grain stocks have accumulated in many states, others face shortages in food grain supply.
Read More: What is the status of the New National Agriculture Policy of India?
Trends in the Production of Commercial Crops
India’s commercial crops play a vital role in providing raw materials for various industries, supporting exports, and bolstering domestic enterprises. The fluctuations in the production of commercial crops in India are evident from the data presented in the table:
Production of Commercial Crops (In Tones)
| Period | Cotton (lakh bales) | Jute lakh bales | Sugarcane (lakh tons) | Oil Seeds (lakh tons) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950-51 | 30 | 33 | 570 | 50 |
| 1980-81 | 70 | 65 | 1,542 | 94 |
| 2000-01 | 95 | 93 | 2,960 | 184 |
| 2010-11 | 334 | 106 | 3,392 | 311 |
| 2019-20 | 361 | 94 | 3,705 | 332 |
| 2020-21 | 352 | 90 | 4,054 | 359 |
- Expansion of Production: There has been a significant increase in the production of commercial crops in India during the planned period. Cotton production has surged by 11 times, jute production nearly tripled, and sugarcane and oilseed production multiplied by over 7 times.
- Significance in Exports: These crops hold great importance in the realm of exports. In 2019-20, India exported sugarcane worth ₹5,861 crore, tobacco valued at ₹3,761 crore, jute goods totaling ₹2,428 crore, tea amounting to ₹5,851 crore, and coffee valued at ₹5,237 crore to foreign countries.
Read More: Agricultural Productivity: Trends, Determinants, and Strategies for Improvement
What is the Average Growth Rate of Agricultural Production?
The average growth rate of agricultural production refers to the rate at which the output of agricultural goods, such as crops and livestock, increases over a specified period, typically expressed as a percentage. This rate is calculated by comparing the total agricultural output at the end of the period to the total output at the beginning, then dividing by the number of years in the period.