Indian agriculture spans 329 million hectares, with 141 million hectares sown and a gross cropped area of 195 million hectares. The 2022-23 total food grain production was 3,288.52 lakh tonnes, highlighting record outputs in rice (135.32 million tonnes), wheat (110.5 million tonnes), coarse cereals (54.75 million tonnes), pulses (26.05 million tonnes), oil seeds (37.25 million tonnes), sugarcane (490.53 million tonnes), and cotton (24.51 million bales). Major export commodities include rice, spices, buffalo meat, fruits, and vegetables, with key export markets like Saudi Arabia for rice, the US for spices, and Vietnam for buffalo meat. From 2018-2023, India saw a substantial rise in agricultural exports, reaching US$ 52.50 billion in 2022-23. India's agricultural strengths include rich biodiversity, extensive arable land, and a robust research and extension system, while weaknesses involve land fragmentation, low technology inputs, and poor infrastructure. Opportunities exist in yield improvement, exports, and agro-based industries, countered by threats such as unsustainable resource use and imports. Historical trade policies transitioned from pre-independence commercialization to post-independence protectionism and later liberalization in the 1990s, enhancing export competitiveness. Recent policies (2009-2020) emphasize export growth and infrastructural efficiency. Government schemes like APEDA, MEIS, and SEIS bolster agricultural exports. Jammu and Kashmir, with 65% of its population dependent on agriculture, significantly contribute with exports of apples, walnuts, and almonds, accounting for substantial portions of India's production in these categories. The region has seen a 55% growth in exports over three years

Government policies, Export and Import agricultural commodities, Trade regulations

According to the study, India continues to have a dominant position in the world's agricultural commerce with a positive trade balance. Rice, spices, fruits & vegetables remain the top export commodities, while vegetable oil dominates imports. The government’s efforts to increase domestic agricultural production, particularly in pulses, aim to reduce reliance on imports. To maintain India's agricultural trade growth, future trade policy should concentrate on improving value-added processing, expanding export markets, and tackling issues like market instability and water scarcity

Sakshi Thakur and Anil Bhat (2025). India’s Export and Import of Agricultural Commodities. Biological Forum, 17(5a): 93-96.