UNIT-2

Trends in growth of agricultural production in India

Trends in agricultural production in India is described with reference to the changes in

production level of major foodgrain and non-foodgrain crops. These changes in productivity
are examined during the various years of Five Year Plans (FYP).

A. Trends in Foodgrains Production

Foodgrain production in India increased from 50.8 million (annual average) tonnes in 1950-51
to 187 million tonnes in Eighth plan and further to 202.9 million tonnes in Ninth Plan. Because
of drought conditions in the first year (2002-03) of tenth plan, the foodgrains output declined
to 174.8 million tonnes but rose to 213.2 million tonnes in 2003-04. The foodgrain output in
10th plan was 202.2 million tonnes (annual average). In 11 th Five Year Plan(FYP), foodgrain
production increased to 237.4 million tonnes (annual average). In 2015-16, the foodgrain
production was 252.2 million tonnes and touched the level of 272 milliion tonnes in 2015-16.
As per Second Advance Estimates for 2019-20, total foodgrain production in the country is
estimated at record 291.95 million tonnes which is higher by 6.74 million tonnes than the
production of foodgrain of 285.21 million tonnes achieved during 2018-19. However, the
production during 2019-20 is higher by 26.20 million tonnes than the previous five years’
(2013-14 to 2017-18) average production of foodgrain.

Let us see the trends in production of some of the major foodgrain crops:

(a) Wheat: The production of wheat in second plan avearged only 9.7 million tonnes per
annum, which rose to 11.1 million tonnes in third plan and 25 million tonnes per annum in
fourth plan. In 11th plan, the wheat production increased to 84.4 million tonnes per annum and
further increased to 93.5 million tonnes in 2015-16. The production increased to 96.6 million
tonnes in 2016-17. Production of wheat during 2019-20 is estimated at record 106.21 million
tonnes. It is higher by 2.61 million tonnes as compared to wheat production during 2018-19
and is higher by 11.60 million tonnes than the average wheat production of 94.61 million
tonnes.

(b) Rice: Rice production increased from 35.1 million tonnes in third plan (annual average) to
97.3 million tonnes in 11th plan. The production stood at 104.2 million tonnes per annum in
2015-16 and reached further up to 108.9 million tonnes in 2016-17. Total production of rice
during 2019-20 is estimated at record 117.47 million tonnes. It is higher by 9.67 million tonnes
than the five years’ average production of 107.80 million tonnes.

(c) Maize: Maize Production which was 15.1 million tonnes in 2006-07 increased to 22.3
million tonnes in in 2012-13 and further increased to 23.7 million tonnes in 2014-15. The areas
under maize production has risen considerably in recent times because of availability highly
productive hybrid seeds and this has come at the cost of coarse cereals.

(d) Pulses: The requirement of pulses in India is estimated to be about 17 million tonnes. But
the actual production has been less than this level by a considerable margin during most of the
planning period. But in 2010-11, the production of pulses was recorded at 18.2 million tonnes.
In 2015-16, the production of pulses stood at 16.5 million tonnes and touched the level of 22.1
million tonnes in 2016-17. The supply of pulses has been always less than the demand during
most of the planning periods, so India had to import a large quantity of pulses over the years.
Total Pulses production during 2019-20 is estimated at 23.02 million tonnes which is higher
by 2.76 million tonnes than the Five years’ average production of 20.26 million tonnes.

B. Trends in Non-Foodgrains production:

Trends in non-foodgrain crops is discussed with reference to 3 crops:

(a) Oilseeds: The production of oilseeds was 14.8 million tonnes in 2002-03 but rose
subsequently to 25.3 million tonnes in 2015-16 and touched the level of 33.6 million tonnes in
2016-17. India meets its demands for oil seeds mostly by imports which is estimated to be
around 60%.

(b) Cotton: Cotton production which averaged 12.2 million bales per annum in eighth plan
rose to 10.1 million bales in ninth plan. The production increased to 16.0 million bales in 10th
plan and reached further upto 30.2 million bales in 2015-16. The production stood at 32.5
million bales in 2016-17. This huge increase in cotton production was due to adoption of Bt
cotton in 2002.

(c) Coarse Cereals: Production of Nutri/Coarse Cereals for 2019-20 is estimated at 45.24
million tonnes, which is higher by 2.18 million tonnes than the production of 43.06 million
tonnes achieved during 2018-19. Further, it is also higher by 2.16 million tonnes than the
average production.