Sustainable Agriculture Push in Economic Survey 2024-25
Why in the news
The Economic Survey 2024-25 outlined how farming can stay productive under climate stress, urging crop shifts, efficient irrigation and more research spending.
Key facts
- Outlook: 5% yearly growth and a 20% GVA share, absorbing surplus labour.
- Farm income grew 5.23% a year in the past decade, below 6.24% in non-farm sectors.
- A 2°C rise with 7% more rain by 2099 could cut productivity 8-12%.
- Droughts and heatwaves hurt more than floods and cold waves; extreme rain deficits link to heavy crop loss (lower tail dependence).
- Heatwaves hit 18% of days in 2022-2024 versus 5% in 2020-2021, feeding food inflation.
| Segment (2011-2022) | CAGR |
|---|---|
| Fisheries | 8.7% |
| Meat and eggs | 7.5% |
| Livestock and milk | 5.8% |
| Pulses | 5.0% |
| Cereals and oilseeds | about 2.0% |
Drip irrigation (Tamil Nadu study)
- Water saved 39-55%; yield up 33-41%; profit up 52.92-114.50% depending on crop.
Way forward
- Favour non-cereal output such as pulses and edible oils.
- Move from water-hungry crops; invest in irrigation, R&D, micro-irrigation and climate-resilient varieties.
Exam angle
- Top growth segment: fisheries.
- Related term: lower tail dependence.