India's Agricultural Success: Production and Export Growth

India’s Foodgrain Output Surges to Record 357.73 Million Tonnes in 2024-25​

New Delhi, March 26 – India’s agricultural sector has achieved a remarkable milestone, recording an unprecedented foodgrain output of 357.73 million metric tonnes (MMT) in the 2024-25 agricultural year. This represents a substantial increase of 25.43 MMT compared to the previous year, driven by sustained productivity gains, improved input management, and strengthened support for farmers, according to an official fact sheet released Thursday.

The growth was primarily fueled by increased production of rice, wheat, maize, and coarse cereals, including millets – designated as “Shree Anna.” India currently ranks as the world’s second-largest producer of both rice and wheat, with output reaching 150.18 million tonnes of rice and 117.94 million tonnes of wheat during the 2024-25 period.

Furthermore, India maintains its global leadership in pulse production, recording an output of 25.68 million tonnes (2024-25), with Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan serving as key producing states. The country also leads worldwide in millet production, achieving approximately 18.59 million tonnes (2024-25), largely driven by Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Karnataka.

Agricultural exports have also seen significant growth. Earnings increased from $34.5 billion in fiscal year 20 (FY20) to $51.1 billion in fiscal year 25 (FY25), demonstrating a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.2 percent. In FY25, agri-food exports, encompassing processed food products, reached $49.43 billion, accounting for approximately 11.2 percent of total exports. The share of processed food exports has consistently risen, from 14.9 percent in FY18 to 20.4 percent in FY25.

Horticulture has also emerged as a major contributor to agricultural transformation. Total horticulture production reached 362.08 million tonnes (MT) in 2024-25, comprising approximately 114.51 million tonnes of fruits, 219.67 million tonnes of vegetables, and 33.54 million tonnes from other horticultural crops. Production increased significantly from 280.70 million tonnes in 2013-14 to 367.72 million tonnes in 2024-25.

Rice exports reached $12.95 billion in 2024-2025, while exports of pulses and millets amounted to $855 million and $59.20 million, respectively. These figures underscore growing international demand for diversified, climate-resilient cereal crops, reinforcing India’s strategic role in global food and nutrition security.