Strawberries, pomegranates see sharp rise; Cereals decline: MoSPI data signals shift in agri trends
New Delhi: India's agriculture sector is undergoing a notable transformation, with the Gross Value of Output (GVO) data showing a significant rise in high-value crops such as strawberries, pomegranates, mushrooms, and spices—while the share of traditional staples like cereals continues to decline.
According to new data released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), cited by The Indian Express on Wednesday, the decade-long trend points to a structural shift in agriculture, driven by evolving consumer preferences, technological advancements, market opportunities and policy orientation toward nutritional security and export potential.
GVO is a measure of production that refers to the total value of the items produced before subtracting the value of inputs used in production. The GVO of strawberries increased more than 40-fold, rising from Rs 1.32 crore in 2011-12 to Rs 55.4 crore in 2023-24 (at constant prices). Without adjusting for inflation, the increase is even more dramatic, with GVO surging nearly 80 times to Rs 103.27 crore, according to the ministry’s report on ‘Value of Output from Agriculture and Allied Sectors’.
Other crops which saw a sharp rise in GVO include parmal (parwal), which increased by nearly 17 times to Rs 789 crore; pumpkin which rose by nearly 10 times to Rs 2,449 crore; pomegranate, which increased by over four times to Rs 9,231 crore; and mushroom, which increased by three-and-a-half times to Rs 1,704 crore, the report stated.
In contrast, cereals saw a relative decline. Their share in GVO dropped from 17.6% to 14.5% over the same period.
The GVO of condiments and spices recorded substantial growth, particularly dry ginger, which saw a 285% increase to Rs 11,004 crore—bolstered by improved processing.
Meanwhile, the share of meat in the GVO of agriculture and allied sectors rose from 5% in 2011-12 to 7.5% in 2023-24, indicating increased consumption of animal-based products as income levels rise. The overall GVO of the meat category grew by 131%, though still less than the explosive growth seen in strawberry production.
Among the other fruits which showed an increase in GVO are watermelon (119%), cherry (99%), banana and mosambi (both 88%), and muskmelon (87%).
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US warns shipping firms they could face sanctions over paying Iranian tolls in Strait of Hormuz
Dubai (AP): The United States is warning shipping companies that they could face sanctions for making payments to Iran to safely pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
The alert posted Friday by the US Office of Foreign Assets Control adds another layer of pressure in the standoff between the US and Iran over control of the Strait of Hormuz.
About a fifth of the world's trade in oil and natural gas typically passes through the strait at the mouth of the Persian Gulf in peacetime.
Iran effectively closed the strait to normal traffic by attacking and threatening to attack ships after the US and Israel launched a war on Feb. 28. It later began offering some ships safe passage by detouring them through alternate routes closer to its shoreline, charging fees at times for the service.
That "tollbooth” effort is the focus of the US sanctions warning.
The payment demands could include transfers not only in cash but also “digital assets, offsets, informal swaps, or other in-kind payments,” including chartibale donations and payments at Iranian embassies, OFAC said.
“OFAC is issuing this alert to warn US and non-US persons about the sanctions risks of making these payments to, or soliciting guarantees from, the Iranian regime for safe passage. These risks exist regardless of payment method,” it said.
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The US responded to Iran's closure of the strait with a naval blockade of its own on April 13, preventing any Iranian tankers from leaving and depriving Iran of oil revenue it needs to shore up its ailing economy.
The US Central Command said 45 commercial ships have been told to turn around since the blockade began.
Trump rejects Iranian proposal
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The warning came as US President Donald Trump swiftly rejected Iran's latest proposal to end the war between the countries.
“They want to make a deal, I'm not satisfied with it, so we'll see what happens,” Trump said Friday at the White House. He didn't elaborate on what he saw as its shortcomings but expressed frustration with the Iranian leadership.
“It's a very disjointed leadership,” Trump said. “They all want to make a deal, but they're all messed up.”
Iran's state-run IRNA news agency reported Iran handed over its plan to mediators in Pakistan on Thursday night.
The shaky three-week ceasefire between the US and Iran appears to be holding, though both countries have traded accusations of violations. The standoff is increasingly putting pressure on the global economy, driving up prices and leading to shortages of fuel and other products tied to the oil industry.
Negotiations continued by phone after Trump called off his envoys' trip to Pakistan last week, the president said. Trump this week floated a new plan to reopen the critical passageway used by America's Gulf allies to export their oil and gas.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has briefed many of his regional counterparts on the country's initiatives to end the ear, according to his social media. He also held talks Friday with European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, who is in contact with the EU's Gulf partners.
China's UN envoy urges Iran to lift restrictions
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Fu Cong, the Chinese ambassdor to the United Nations, said Friday that maintaining the ceasefire is “the most urgent issue" as well as bringing together the sides to resume good faith negotiations “to make sure that the ground is laid for reopening of Hormuz.”
Foreign Minister Wang Yi “has been on the phone almost constantly” with representatives from all sides, Fu said, adding that China supports Pakistan's efforts to mediate between the parties.
Fu stressed the root cause of the tremendous suffering in Iran and neighboring countries and the growing turmoil in the global economy, especially in developing countries, “is the illegitimate war by the US and Israel.
