Skip to main content

Agricultural GDP to grow by a mere 2.7% in 2018-19, down from 5% in '17-18: Report

By A Representative
Latest estimates suggest that in the third quarter of 2018-19 (October-December), agriculture and allied activities grew at 2.7 per cent as against 4.6 per cent during the same period last year. The situation wouldn’t be any better for the full year in 2018-19, when the growth in agriculture and allied activities was estimated the same, 2.7 per cent, down from 5 per cent in fiscal 2017-18.
“Low monsoon and post-monsoon rains have pulled down post-kharif and rabi production, which is being reflected in the GDP numbers,” Madan Sabnavis, chief economist, CARE Ratings, has been quoted as saying. Data show, India’s wheat production in the 2018-19 rabi season is expected to be 99.12 million tonnes, marginally less than 99.7 million tonnes last year, though rice production is estimated to touch a record 115.6 million tonnes in 2018-19, from 112.91 million tonnes in the previous year.
At the same time, India is expected to harvest a lower rapeseed and gram crop in this rabi season, as the monsoon rainfall has been less than normal by almost 9 per cent. The pulses output estimated to be at 24.02 million tonnes from the last year’s record 25.23 million tonnes during the same period. Among non-foodgrain crops, total oilseeds production during 2018-19 is estimated at 31.5 million tonnes as against 31.3 million tonnes in the previous year.
Sugarcane output is estimated at 380.83 million tonnes from 376.9 million tonnes. The production of cotton has been pegged lower at 30.09 million bales (of 170 kg each) from 34.88 million bales, while jute and mesta output is seen at 10.07 million bales (of 180 kg each) against 10.13 million bales.

Comments

TRENDING

A fearless spirit lost: Rebecca Thomson dies at 17-hour Catalina Swim Mark

By Harsh Thakor  On July 26, 2026, Rebecca “Becky” Thomson suffered cardiac arrest while attempting the Catalina Channel Swim — a marathon open water crossing from Catalina Island to the California mainland. After swimming for 17 hours, Thomson collapsed in the water. Despite the painstaking efforts of emergency responders and the medical staff at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, she succumbed to a devastating hypoxic brain injury and died Friday evening.

Women's groups, feminists hail wrestlers' courage, vow to continue fight after Brij Bhushan acquittal

By A Representative   In a powerful show of solidarity, more than 250 prominent feminists and members of women's organisations across India have condemned the acquittal of former BJP MP and ex-Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in the high-profile sexual harassment case filed by six women wrestlers. The signatories have expressed unwavering support for the wrestlers who have waged a courageous legal battle for justice against formidable odds.

An open letter to PM: Before you forgive, ask for forgiveness

By Martin Macwan*  Respected Prime Minister,  The first step toward true forgiveness is asking for it, and it is out of respect for the Constitution that the title "Honourable" is used for the office of the Prime Minister. Every abuse is "dirty" because almost all abuse is uttered with the conscious intention of publicly humiliating a woman, much like the disrobing of Draupadi in the royal court. This includes remarks like "Jersey Cow," used at public meetings on the Gujarati land of Gandhi and Sardar; comparing a female MP's laughter in India's Parliament to "Surpanakha's laugh"; and using a vulgar address like "Didi O Didi" for a Chief Minister who holds a respected position in a democracy—along with every other such remark. In the 79-year history of independent India, you are better placed than anyone to say which Prime Minister has used such language against women.