Dhanwel Hybrid Seeds Ltd. IPO

Agriculture is one of the cornerstones of India’s economy and society, providing a livelihood to nearly 55% of the population. With the world’s second-largest agricultural land area, India is a global leader in farm output.

The country has the largest cattle herd (buffaloes), ... the largest area under wheat, rice, and cotton, and ranks as the world’s top producer of milk, pulses, and spices. It is also the second-largest producer of fruits, vegetables, tea, farmed fish, cotton, sugarcane, wheat, and rice, underscoring its central role in global food supply. The food industry in India is poised for rapid growth, driven by its immense potential for value addition. The food processing industry alone accounts for 32% of the country’s total food market and ranks fifth globally in terms of production, consumption, exports, and growth potential. Beyond generating employment for millions of farmers, the sector plays a vital role in rural industrialization, supply chain development, and food security. India’s agricultural output has expanded significantly in the past decade, recording 40% growth and achieving surplus capacity for exports. In FY25, the sector grew by 5.4% year-on-year, supported by record production and higher trade volumes. Agricultural exports touched an all-time high of Rs. 4,40,000 crore (US$ 51.86 billion) in FY25, up from Rs. 3,95,793 crore (US$ 48.15 billion) in FY24. Agriculture and allied activities together contributed 17.8% to India’s GDP in 2023-24, reaffirming the sector’s importance to the national economy. Production levels continue to rise steadily. According to the Third Advance Estimates, foodgrain production for 2024-25 is projected at a record 3,539.59 LMT, up 6.5% from the previous year. Rice production alone is expected to reach 1,490.74 LMT, an increase of 112.49 LMT YoY. Horticulture output has also shown remarkable growth, climbing from 280.70 million tonnes in 2013-14 to 367.72 million tonnes in 2024-25. Read more