Agriculture's share in GDP may fall to 13.7% in FY13

Fall on account of higher growth in the non-farm sectors

The share of agriculture and allied sectors in India's GDP is likely to decline to 13.7% in 2012-13 on account of higher growth in the non-farm sectors, Parliament was informed today.

In a written reply to Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Agriculture Tariq Anwar said the contribution of agriculture and allied sector to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country declined from 14.6% in 2009-10 to 14.5% in 2010-11 and further to 14.1% in 2011-12.

"Further, as per the Advance Estimates released by CSO on February 7, 2013, contribution of agriculture to the GDP is likely decline to 13.7% in 2012-13," he added.

He attributed the fall in agriculture's share in the country's GDP to "comparatively higher growth in GDP of non-agriculture sectors".

In reply to a separate query, Anwar said the foodgrains production in 2012-13 crop year is estimated to fall at 250.14 million tonnes, from record 259.32 million tonnes in the previous year.

"Total production of foodgrains during the current year has been lower due to decline in Kharif production on account of delayed/deficient rainfall during monsoon season," the minister said.

To another query, Anwar said rice production has gone up by nearly 10 million tonnes over the last three years in seven states covered under the central scheme 'Bringing Green Revolution to Eastern India (BGREI)'.

The cumulative rice production in seven states (Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkand, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal) is estimated to increase to 55.62 million tonnes in 2012-13 from 45.64 million tonnes in 2009-10.

"Keeping in view the enthusiastic results of the implementation of BGREI programme, an allocation of Rs 1,000 crore has been announced for the programme in the Budget speech for the year 2013-14," Anwar said.