Buoyant fields, faltering factories

India's agricultural sector is charting new territory as record-breaking food production sets the stage for a stronger presence in global export markets.

- Shivaji Sarkar

While farms flourish, a contrasting picture emerges in the industrial landscape, where stagnating production signals underlying economic strain. This divergence underscores a shifting balance in India’s growth narrative—buoyant fields amid faltering factories.

To pace it up further, the Centre also increased kharif crop MSP focusing on pulses, oilseeds and coarse grains. The MSP for paddy was raised by ₹69, 3%, to ₹2369 per quintal. The Centre claims that its procurement of wheat has surpassed previous three-year records yet below the target.

Amid such farm yield bonanza, the stymied industrial production remains a concern. The country’s industrial output growth slowed to an 8-month low in April, dragged down by contraction in mining, sluggish electricity and manufacturing sectors. It is dipping since reaching a peak of 6.2% in April 2024 which had fallen to minus 0.1% during mid-year. India has achieved a record food grain production of 353.95 MT in 2024-25 crop season. This is largely due to record harvests of paddy - 149.07 MT, wheat - 117.50 MT, and maize - 42 MT.