Maharashtra’s Agriculture Expected To Increase By 8.7% In 2024-25 Despite Challenges; Experts Observe Transition To Fibrous Foods
Maharashtra’s agriculture sector is projected to grow 8.7% in 2024-25, up from 3.3% last year. Cereal, pulse, oilseed, and cotton production will rise, but sugarcane output may decline. Despite 116.8% rainfall, agriculture’s economic share has fallen. Experts warn of uncertain farmer profits. Women’s landholdings are increasing, while irrigation usage remains below potential at 40%.
Mumbai: Maharashtra’s agricultural sector is set to experience significant growth of 8.7% in 2024-25, compared to the 3.3% seen the previous year. This increase will notably boost production levels of cereals, pulses, oilseeds, and cotton, as highlighted in the economic survey, which suggests that agricultural growth outpaces both the industrial and services sectors.
In the kharif season of 2024-25, expected production increases include cereals by 49.2%, pulses by 48.1%, oilseeds by 26.9%, and cotton by 10.8%. However, sugarcane production is projected to decline by 6.6% in comparison to the previous year. The rabi season forecasts a rise in cereal and pulse production of 22.7% and 25%, respectively, but a downturn for oilseed production of 22.7% is also anticipated.
Experts indicate that the shift towards fibrous and nutritious foods is shaping agricultural trends. Notably, the state received 116.8% of its normal rainfall in 2024. Despite this positive growth outlook, the report reveals a troubling trend: over the past 13-14 years, the share of agriculture’s gross value added has decreased from 13.1% to 11.2%, suggesting that farmers are not receiving adequate prices for their produce, affecting their profitability.
Economist Dr. Neeraj Hatekar expressed that while the projected 8.7% growth should improve farmers’ wealth year-on-year, the unfavorable projections for paddy and sugarcane make achieving prosperity through crops like soybean and cotton uncertain. Furthermore, women’s landholdings have increased alongside total operational landholdings, although individual parcel sizes are decreasing. While per capita availability of milk and eggs is rising in Maharashtra, it remains below the national average, and irrigation utilization stands at only 40% of its 56% potential.
To read more about Agricultutre/Farmers related News continue reading Agriinsite.com
Source : Free Press Journal
