Agriculture Sector

The Centre plans to prevent food price volatility amid potential supply shortfalls and a below-normal monsoon. While chana production has increased, irregular rainfall could still impact output.

A move away from one-size-fits-all agriculture policy aims to lift productivity and resilience, but execution will decide outcomes.

Forecasts of below-average monsoon rainfall could worsen inflation as it impacts agricultural production and rural demand. Rising input costs and elevated crude oil prices are a concern for Indian equities, with inflation expectations globally also increasing.

The Gulf war has raised alarm over gas and fertilizer costs, but global food stocks are plentiful and supply chains resilient. While rising input prices may impact the next harvest, a full-blown food crisis like 2007–08 is unlikely for now.

The sharp drop in demand for the rural jobs scheme over the years suggests a significant change in labour patterns. Experts believe better-paying jobs in manufacturing and urban construction are drawing workers away from the MGNREGA programme, which saw peak demand in the Covid years.

Our farmers and small firms must seize new EU export openings, but lower tariffs alone won’t do the job. Meeting Europe’s tough green, safety and labour standards will demand funding, traceability and policy support—without which India risks losing a key market.

With cotton productivity remaining volatile due to challenges including erratic weather and pest attacks, the country’s area under cotton has fallen by nearly a fifth to 11.2 million hectares in 2025-26 from 13.4 million hectares in 2019-20, according to the latest government data.

Tired of being at the mercy of traders, some small farmers are flipping the script. Through farmer producer organizations and niche produce, they’re evolving from price-takers into savvy board members. Discover the grit behind India’s agrarian business revolution.