Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog, Suman Bery, stated that India's agricultural sector has significant potential to drive future growth. He described it as a burgeoning sector that requires higher productivity and innovation to support the country's development goals. Mr. Bery made this statement while releasing the report in New Delhi, which outlines a roadmap for horticulture development in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
Highlighting the importance of agriculture in India's growth story, Mr. Bery said that with the country having one of the largest arable land bases in the world, it is essential to move beyond a one-size-fits-all approach. He emphasized the need to differentiate between cereals, horticulture, and animal husbandry, arguing that this is crucial for policy planning. Emphasizing productivity as the key driver, he noted that generating employment alone is not sufficient unless it leads to higher labour productivity and increased real incomes.
He said that both land productivity and labor productivity must improve to support sustainable economic growth. Referencing global examples, he cited the success of the Netherlands as a major agricultural exporter despite its small size, attributing it to intensive use of technology and resources. He said that similar models could be adapted in regions like Jammu and Kashmir.