Mumbai: The state economic survey 2025-26 stated that while the state economy is expected to grow at 7.9% during 2025-26, real ‘agriculture & allied activities’ are expected to grow at only 3.4%. In fact, the agri growth rate is far lower than those for the industry (5.7%) and services (9%) sectors, indicates the economic survey. This is a severe drop from last year when Maharashtra’s agricultural landscape was poised for much higher growth of 8.7% in 2024-25. The current growth in agriculture is now close to 3.3% of 2023-24. The first revised Eestimates (FRE) for agriculture growth for 2024-25 was 9.1%, but now the current growth rate is down to just 3.4%. This is despite the fact that total rainfall in the state in 2025 up to October was 109.1% of the normal. Out of total 355 talukas (excluding Mumbai city and Mumbai suburban districts), 149 talukas received excess rainfall, 181 talukas received normal rainfall and 25 talukas received deficient rainfall. Around Rs 9,400 crore was given to farmers in compensation for floods, untimely rains and hailstorms. However the survey stated that there has been a significant increase in crop production in the state during the last six decades.Experts said agriculture growth in Maharashtra has experienced a decline due to a combination of severe climatic instability, structural deficiencies in irrigation, and economic pressures on farmers. However, the survey states demand for organic crop products is increasing from domestic and international markets. Various schemes are being implemented to promote organic farming in the State. The state ranks first in all India with 30% share in organic farm production. “During the kharif season of 2025-26, sowing was completed on 157.27 lakh ha area. The production of cereals, sugarcane and cotton is expected to increase by 10.6 %, 22.0 % and 7.0 % respectively, whereas production of pulses and oilseeds is expected to decrease by 28.2 and 47.4 % respectively over the previous year. Similarly, during the rabi season of 2025-26, sowing was completed on 66.98 lakh ha area. The production of cereals and pulses is expected to increase by 28.3 % and 29.7 %, whereas the production of oilseeds is expected to decrease by 16.2 % over the previous year,” the survey stated. Experts said growing preference for fibrous and nutritious foods over carbohydrates and sugar appears to be influencing farming patterns. Significantly, the proportion of women landholders increased from 12.9 % in 1995-96 to 20.6 % in 2021-22. The average size of operational holdings has changed from 1.58 ha to 1.18 ha during the same period. Interestingly, during 2024-25, the area under horticulture crops is expected to be 25.19 lakh ha and the production is expected to be 339.77 lakh MT. Irrigation potential created up to 30th June 2024 by major, medium and minor irrigation projects was 57.16 lakh ha and during 2024-25, the irrigation potential utilised was 40.55 lakh ha.The survey noted that the state ranks third in the country in meat production with 11.6 % share. “Per capita availability of meat in the State is 9.5 kg per annum. The State ranks fifth in the country in milk production with 6.7 % share. Per capita availability of milk in the State is 358 grams per day. The State ranks seventh in the country in egg production, with 5.5 % share. Per capita availability of eggs in the State is 65 eggs per annum,” they survey stated.The economic survey stated that compensation for crop loss due to untimely rains and hailstorms during the period January to May 2025 was sanctioned for a maximum area of three hectares per farmer. A total compensation of Rs 337.42 crore was sanctioned to 4.00 lakh farmers for an affected area of 1.87 lakh hectares. Similarly, compensation for crop loss due to heavy rainfall and floods during the period June to September 2025 was also sanctioned for a maximum area of three hectares per farmer. In this regard, a compensation amounting to Rs 9,022.38 crore was sanctioned to 116.40 lakh farmers for an affected area of 94.82 lakh hectares.
