Agricultural growth to be better than in two previous years

GVA during 2016-17 seen at 4.1%, due to record kharif crop aided by the best monsoon in two years

The government’s preliminary estimate is that agricultural growth, in terms of Gross Value Added (GVA) at constant prices, should be higher in 2016-17 than the earlier two years, at 4.1 per cent.

This would be due to a record kharif harvest, aided by a much better monsoon than the previous two years. The growth was 1.2 per cent in 2015-16.

However, there is also doubt if these estimates would hold, in the wake of the big demonetisation drive from early November, which has had an impact on the sector. The government estimate is based on data till October.

More, the impact of a