India’s agriculture sector is the backbone of the nation, directly or indirectly supporting nearly half the population. Despite contributing approximately 18 per cent to the GDP (2022-23), its vast potential remains largely untapped. With 328 million hectares of land (4 per cent of the world’s total area), India possesses 11.2 per cent of the world’s arable land ~ the second largest after the U.S.

The country receives an average annual rainfall of 1,170 mm, comparable to the global average, yet faces severe water scarcity, holding only 4 per cent of the world’s freshwater resources while sustaining 17.8 per cent of the global population. India ranks among the top agricultural producers, achieving record food grain production of 330.5 million metric tonnes in 2022-23 and horticultural output exceeding 355 million metric tonnes. Agri-exports also surged to $53 billion in FY 2022-23, including rice, spices, fresh fruits, and processed foods. However, productivity in key crops remains below global benchmarks, highlighting the sector’s unexploited potential.

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For instance, India’s average rice yield stands at 4.0 ton nes per hectare, whereas China achieves 7.1 tonnes, and the global average is 4.8 tonnes. Similarly, wheat productivity in India is 3.5 tonnes per hectare, far behind China’s 5.7 tonnes. The disparity is even more pronounced in soybean yields, with India producing only 1.2 tonnes per hectare compared to the US average of 3.0 tonnes. Despite possessing more arable land (156 million hectares) and higher annual rainfall (1,170 mm) than China (120 million hectares and 645 mm), India’s agricultural GDP is merely $500 billion ~ just one-third of China’s $1.5 trillion. This stark contrast underscores the urgent need for structural reforms, advanced agronomic practices, and widespread technological adoption to enhance India’s agricultural output and global competitiveness.

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At CII Sugartech 2024 in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath emphasized the immense agricultural potential of the Ganga-Yamuna belt, where improved land fertility and water availability could increase crop productivity three to four times. While UP’s average sugarcane yield is 84 tonnes per hectare, top-performing farmers achieve yields of 300 ton nes per hectare, revealing a massive productivity gap. The state government has rewarded top farmers, but the real challenge remains........

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