The good tidingsAgriculture grew by 4% in 2019-20, thanks to a record production of food grains supported by ample rains, and a recovery in prices of non-perishables.
A major factor that contributed to the growth in agriculture, which was only a shade slower than the overall GDP growth rate of 4.2%, was a record winter harvest.
Farmers, for instance, produced 107 million tonnes of wheat, the highest ever. And despite a slow start, federal procurement of wheat at minimum support prices (MSP) is at an all-time high of 38 million tonnes.Unlike in cities, farming and other economic activities in rural areas did not see a total shutdown and has therefore witnessed a sharp pickup as the economy opened up, said Arshad Perwez, an analyst with JM.