India Records Historic Agricultural Growth Above 4%; Milk Production Rises 70% in a Decade, Says PM Modi

India's agriculture and allied sectors have recorded average annual growth exceeding 4% over the past decade, marking the highest decadal growth since Independence, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said at the Kisan Tak Bharat Agriculture Conference organised by the India Today Group on November 12.

Highlighting the transformation of India's agricultural economy, the Prime Minister said the country's growth has extended beyond conventional crop production to livestock, fisheries, horticulture and other allied activities. He emphasised the need to make farming smarter, strengthen farmer self-reliance and diversify agricultural income sources.

According to Modi, the past decade has also witnessed substantial expansion in dairy, poultry, fisheries and horticulture, reinforcing agriculture's contribution to rural livelihoods and economic development.

Dairy Emerges as a Major Growth Driver

India's dairy sector has witnessed significant expansion during the past decade, with milk production increasing by approximately 70%, according to the Prime Minister's address.

The growth reinforces India's position as the world's largest milk producer and highlights the importance of livestock-based activities in supporting agricultural development.

Other livestock and allied-sector achievements cited by Modi include:

• Milk production: Increased approximately 70% over the decade.
• Egg production: Increased approximately 90%.
• Fish production: More than doubled.
• Honey production: Increased from approximately 80,000 tonnes to 1.5 lakh tonnes.
• Horticulture: Production expanded from approximately 280 million tonnes to more than 350 million tonnes.

These developments underline the growing importance of diversified agricultural production in strengthening India's rural economy.

Agriculture Growth Crosses a Historic Milestone

The Prime Minister said agriculture grew at more than 4% annually during the past decade, describing it as an unprecedented achievement since Independence.

Government data provides additional context. According to the NITI Aayog analysis cited in agricultural policy discussions, agriculture and allied activities recorded an average annual growth rate of approximately 4.45% during 2015–16 to 2024–25, measured through Gross Value Added (GVA) at constant prices.

The expansion reflects contributions from livestock, horticulture, fisheries and crop production, although growth rates have differed considerably across subsectors.

The Prime Minister also highlighted India's annual agricultural exports exceeding ₹4 lakh crore and its position among the world's leading producers of several agricultural commodities.

Farmer Support and Input Cost Management

Modi highlighted government expenditure on fertiliser support, saying approximately ₹16 lakh crore had been spent over the preceding 12 years.

He also discussed the government's approach to managing international input-price volatility, particularly fertilisers and diesel, arguing that domestic farmers had been protected from the full impact of rising global prices.

The Prime Minister said the government was absorbing a substantial portion of the diesel-price burden amid international crude-market volatility.

These measures, according to the address, were intended to protect farmers from rising input costs and maintain agricultural production.

Crop Diversification and Allied Activities Take Centre Stage

The Prime Minister stressed that farmers should not remain dependent exclusively on wheat, rice and sugarcane.

He advocated connecting different agricultural growth initiatives to create multiple income opportunities for farmers. Dairy, fisheries, horticulture, poultry and other allied activities were highlighted as important components of this approach.

The address also referred to approximately 12 lakh solar pumps provided under PM-KUSUM, enabling farmers to reduce electricity expenses and potentially earn additional income through solar power generation.

What the Growth Story Means for India's Dairy Industry

The expansion of milk production demonstrates the importance of dairy in India's agricultural transformation. However, higher production alone does not automatically translate into higher farmer incomes or improved profitability across the dairy value chain.

For dairy cooperatives, private processors and livestock farmers, the next phase of growth will increasingly depend on productivity, milk quality, animal health, feed availability, efficient procurement systems and market access.

The industry's challenge will be to convert rising milk output into sustainable value creation while improving farmer earnings and maintaining affordable dairy products for consumers.

India's agricultural growth story is increasingly a livestock and allied-sector story as well. With milk production expanding substantially over the past decade, the dairy industry remains central to the country's ambition of building a more diversified and resilient rural economy.

Source: Read full story here 14 Nov, 2026 Edited and Reported by

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