E-Resources

For the second successive year, Covid-19 pandemic is playing havoc for the world, India in particular. Indian agriculture has progressed tremendously on every front despite the pandemic. Thanks to the government policies, initiatives and untiring efforts of our scientists, farmers and other stakeholders. Share of gross value added by agriculture was estimated at ` 19.48 lakh crore in 2020, which is 17.8% compared to other sectors. In India, total food grain production was recorded at 296.65 million tonnes in 2020 which is 11.44 million tonnes more compared with 285.11 million tonnes in 2019. For the year 2022, the government has set a target for farmers to increase food grain production by 2% i.e. to 307.31 million tonnes. In 2021, production was recorded at 303.34 million against a target of 301 million tonnes. India has the highest livestock population of about 535.78 million, which is around 31% of the world livestock population. Milk production in the country was 198 MT in 2020. India is the second highest producer of rice, wheat, sugarcane, cotton, groundnut, and fruits and vegetables in the world. The Indian food industry is assured for huge growth due to its enormous potential for value addition, specially within the food processing industry. Indian food and grocery market is sixth largest market in the world, with retail contributing 70% of sales. The Indian food processing industry has grabbed 32% of the country?s total food market. In India, the processed food market is expected to grow to ` 3,41,352.5 crore by 2025 as compared to ` 1,931,288.7 crore in 2020. The organic food segment in India will grow at a CAGR of 10% between 2015?25 and is estimated to reach ` 75,000 crore by 2025 as against ` 2,700 crore in 2015. In 2019, Coca Cola launched ?Rani Float? fruit juices. Two diagnostic kits developed by ICAR-IVRI and the Japanese Encephalitis IgM ELISA were launched in 2019. Investment of ` 8,500 crore has been declared for ethanol production in India. In 2021, APEDA signed an MoU with ICAR-CCRI, Nagpur, for increasing export of citrus and its value-added products. In 2021, the Prime Minister launched 35 crop varieties with special traits such as climate resilience and higher nutrient content. The government has initiated Digital Agriculture Mission for 2021?25 for agriculture projects based on new technologies such as artificial intelligence, block chain, remote sensing and GIS technology, drones, robots and others. The Krishi UDAN 2.0 scheme proposes assistance and incentive for movement of agri-produce by air transport. India looks forward to achieve the ambitious goal of doubling farmer?s income by 2022.