Non-crop sector pulls the farm sector gross value added in Q2 of FY23

Absence of updated numbers raises some questions on non-crop estimates

The strong second quarter numbers for Gross Value Added (GVA) for agriculture and allied sector for FY23 pegged at 4.6 per cent have come in for some criticism for being too optimistic and somewhat removed from reality.

This is largely because crop sector production of this kharif has been below last year, while the absence of updated numbers make estimation difficult in the non-crop sector too.

GVA for agriculture, forestry, and fishing during the comparable period (July-September) last year was 3.2 per cent. The long-term average growth for agriculture and allied sectors is 3.5 per cent-4 per cent.

Also noteworthy