Farm Sector Status in Tamil Nadu 2025

Overview of the farm sector

Farm Sector Status in Tamil Nadu 2025: Tamil Nadu’s farm sector has emerged as a structural weak point in the State economy by 2025. Agriculture recorded negative growth in two consecutive years, 2023–24 and 2024–25, as per the RBI Handbook of Statistics on Indian States. This trend marks a sharp contrast with the State’s otherwise strong macroeconomic performance.

Despite this weakness, Tamil Nadu’s overall growth remained resilient. The secondary (manufacturing) and tertiary (services) sectors continued to expand, offsetting the slowdown in agriculture. This reflects a long-term shift away from primary sector dependence.

Static GK fact: Tamil Nadu is among the most urbanised States in India, with a workforce increasingly concentrated in industry and services.

Food grain production trends

Total food grain production in Tamil Nadu has shown moderate but fluctuating performance. Output ranged between 107 and 120 lakh tonnes over recent years. The highest production of 119.98 lakh tonnes was achieved in 2021–22, soon after the COVID-19 pandemic.

In contrast, 2023–24 recorded the lowest output at around 107 lakh tonnes. These fluctuations underline the vulnerability of agriculture to climatic and structural constraints.

Rice remains the dominant food grain, forming the backbone of food security in the State. Coarse cereals, particularly millets, occupy the second position, while pulses account for only a marginal share.

Static GK Tip: Tamil Nadu is a pioneer of the Public Distribution System in India, with rice as the primary subsidised grain.

Crop-wise performance pattern

Production of rice and coarse cereals has remained largely stable over the years. The revival of millets through policy initiatives has helped prevent a sharper decline. However, stability has not translated into significant growth.

Pulse production presents a more worrying picture. Output has declined to around 3.6 lakh tonnes, compared to 7.5 lakh tonnes in 2014–15. This drop has implications for nutritional security and farm income diversification.

Non-food crops have faced an even sharper downturn. Cotton, sugarcane, and oilseeds have all registered a long-term declining trend, weakening agro-based industries.

Decline in commercial crops

Oilseed production stood at around 11.5 lakh tonnes nearly two decades ago. Since then, it has never crossed that level, increasing dependence on edible oil imports.

Cotton production fell steeply to 2.1 lakh bales in the last year, down from 6.86 lakh bales in 2014–15. This has affected textile-linked rural livelihoods.

Sugarcane production witnessed one of the sharpest declines. Output dropped to about 133.5 lakh tonnes, compared to a peak of 411 lakh tonnes in 2006–07, reflecting water stress and rising cultivation costs.

Static GK fact: Sugarcane is a water-intensive crop, requiring over 1,500 mm of water per year.

Causes behind farm sector stress

Experts attribute the weak performance to erratic monsoon behaviour, increasing climate variability, and market price volatility. Procurement mechanisms largely favour rice, leaving other crops exposed to price risk.

The non-availability of new high-yielding and climate-resilient crop varieties has further constrained productivity. Rising input costs and declining profitability have discouraged farmers from cultivating commercial crops.

Way forward suggested by experts

Specialists recommend a strategic shift towards horticultural crops, particularly in rainfed regions. Fruits, vegetables, and plantation crops offer higher value per unit of water and better income stability.

Diversification, improved procurement for non-rice crops, and investment in crop innovation are seen as crucial for reviving Tamil Nadu’s farm sector.

Static Usthadian Current Affairs Table

Farm Sector Status in Tamil Nadu 2025: