Agriculture Powers 15–20% of India’s Economy: PSA

India’s Principal Scientific Advisor (PSA) to the Prime Minister, Ajay Kumar Sood, has emphasized the central role of agriculture in India’s economy, stating that it contributes 15–20% of the country’s economic output and sustains over 60% of the workforce. His remarks were made during the Dialogue NEXT 2025 event held in New Delhi, organized by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).

The Economic Backbone of Rural India

Speaking at the two-day event, Sood highlighted that while the agriculture sector may appear modest in terms of its GDP share, it is vital for millions of livelihoods, particularly in rural areas. He described the sector as a cornerstone of India’s socio-economic structure, underlining the urgent need to modernize and protect agricultural practices amid rising climate and ecological challenges.

New Initiative: National Plant Health Mission

In a significant policy announcement, Sood revealed that ICAR will soon launch a National Plant Health Mission. This initiative aims to reduce crop losses due to factors such as plant diseases, pest infestations, and lack of coordinated health monitoring.

The mission will focus on,

• Pest and disease surveillance
• Integrated plant health management
• Early-warning systems for outbreak prevention
• Training programs for farmers and agri-specialists

This mission is expected to play a pivotal role in improving crop yields, stabilizing farmer incomes, and ensuring food security across India.

Dialogue NEXT 2025: A Platform for Global Collaboration

Held under the theme “Take it to the Farmer”, the Dialogue NEXT event brought together global agricultural leaders, policymakers, and scientists to discuss innovative solutions for the farming challenges of the Global South. Organized in partnership with CIMMYT (International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre) and the Borlaug Institute for South Asia (BISA), the event focused on actionable strategies to improve,

• Climate-resilient agriculture
• Agri-tech dissemination
• Sustainable resource use
• Farmer-centric innovation adoption

Why It Matters

India faces an evolving set of agricultural challenges—from soil degradation and climate change to pest resistance and low productivity. Initiatives like the National Plant Health Mission are vital to safeguarding the country’s food systems, particularly in the context of small and marginal farmers who are most vulnerable.

Ajay Kumar Sood’s remarks reinforce the importance of scientific interventions and institutional support in achieving agricultural sustainability and economic resilience.

Key Facts for Exam

• Event: Dialogue NEXT 2025, held in New Delhi
• Organisers: ICAR, CIMMYT, BISA
• Key Speaker: Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Advisor
• Agriculture’s Contribution: 15–20% to India’s economy